President Pranab Mukherjee, PM Narendra Modi, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Union Ministers, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and various other top leaders tonight condoled Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's demise and paid glowing tributes to her.
Jayalalithaa passed away tonight at a private hospital in Chennai after battling for life for 75 days.
Expressing grief at the passing away of the stalwart of Tamil Nadu politics, President Pranab Mukherjee said,"Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Ms. Jayaram Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu."
"One of India's most charismatic and popular leaders, Ms. Jayalalithaa was a visionary and able administrator. Her life was dedicated to the socio-economic transformation of Tamil Nadu and its people," the President said.
"Deeply saddened at the passing away of Jayalalithaa; her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted soon after the news of her death broke.
"I will always cherish the innumerable occasions when I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaa ji. May her soul rest in peace," he said.
"In her passing away, the nation has lost an icon who was loved and admired by millions. Her contribution to the progress and development of Tamil Nadu will be long remembered," he said.
Vice President Hamid Ansari also condoled her death, saying Jayalalithaa's demise is an "irreparable loss to the people of India".
"An eminent public figure, a charismatic personality, she had immense influence over the political developments in Tamil Nadu as well as the national level.
"As Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, her contributions towards the economic development of the state and social welfare of the poorer segments will be long remembered and cherished. Her death is an irreparable loss to the people of
India," Ansari said.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, while condoling Jayalalithaa's death, said, "I am deeply grieved to learn the passing of Selvi J Jayalalithaa.
"Selvi Jayalalithaa lived her entire life with the same indomitable courage with which she battled her illness. As the leader of AIADMK and four-time 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 of Tamil Nadu's industrial development, her leadership qualities and administratively abilities were truly outstanding," Sonia said.
Sonia hailed her as a "towering figure in our national and political life, who won admiration across the political sepctrum for the intrepid spirit with which she faced the ups and downs of her life in politics."
In his tweet, condoling Jayalalithaa's demise, Rahul Gandhi said, "We lost a great leader today. Women, farmers, fishermen and the marginalised dreamt through her eyes. We will miss Jayalalithaa ji, Amma to millions."
