Karunandihi mourns Jayalalithaa's death, says her fame will remain forever

Chennai: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader M Karunanidhi on Tuesday mourned the death of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, saying her fame will remain forever.

"I offer deep condolences on the passing away of Jayalalithaa. Wishes of lakhs of her followers will make her immortal," Karunanidhi said.

Earlier, DMK treasurer and Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly MK Stalin expressed grief over Jayalalithaa's demise, describing her as an "iron lady" and courageous leader.

Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa, a popular leader who showered the poor with populist programmes and a pole in state politics for three decades, died here Monday night at Apollo Hospitals after battling for life for the 75 days.

Jayalalithaa, a spinster, breathed her last at the Apollo Hospitals just before midnight, over 24 hours after she suffered a cardiac arrest that derailed the halting progress she had been making on the health front.

As Jayalalithaa's death became known, a loud wail rent the air outside the Apollo hospital where thousands had gathered since her cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, hoping against hope that she would survive.

The last rites will be held at the Marina Beach Tuesday evening.