Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday condoled the death of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, saying she lived her life with same "indomitable courage with which she battled her last illness".
"I am deeply grieved to learn of the passing away of Selvi J. Jayalalithaa," said Gandhi in a statement.
"As the leader of the AIADMK and as four-times Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, she had a unique and deep empathy with the needs and hopes of the people, and put in place policies that immeasurably improved their lives.
"Whether it was her welfare schemes for the rural and urban poor, her swift relief measures in the aftermath of Tsunami or her vision for Tamil Nadu's industrial development, her leadership qualities and administrative abilities were truly outstanding," said the Congress chief.
"The Congress party, my family and I personally share the grief and pain of the people of Tamil Nadu and her devoted supporters in the AIADMK, who have lost their beloved 'Amma'," Gandhi said.
"She was a towering figure in our national and political life, who won admiration across the political spectrum for the intrepid spirit with which she faced the ups and downs of her life in politics, for her commitment to the people of her state, and her dedication to the honour of India," she added.
The AIADMK leader passed away at the Apollo hospital in Chennai late Monday night, a day after she suffered cardiac arrest. She was 68.
(With IANS inputs)
