Cabinet condoles the demise of Selvi J Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

The Union Cabinet met under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and condoled the demise of Selvi J Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu who passed away on 5.12.2016 at Apollo Hospital in Chennai.

The Cabinet observed two minute silence in her memory and passed a condolence resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows:

“The Cabinet expresses profound sorrow at the sad demise of Selvi J. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 5.12.2016 at Apollo Hospital, Chennai. In her passing away, the country has lost a veteran and distinguished leader, affectionately called "Amma".

2. Born on February 24, 1948 at Mysore, Selvi J. Jayalalithaa got her education at the Bishop Cotton Girls' High School at Bengaluru and the Presentation Convent Church Park at Chennai. She had a prolific career in films made in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, English and Malayalam. She also made her mark in classical dances such as Bharatnatyam, Mohini Attam, Kathak and Manipuri. She was honoured with Kalaimamani award by the Tamil Nadu Government in 1972.

3. Selvi J. Jayalalithaa entered politics and became a member in AIADMK in 1982. She was elected as a Member of Parliament to the Rajya Sabha in 1984. She was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1989. She was instrumental in the victory of AIADMK in the General Elections to the Lok Sabha and to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1984. In 1989, she became the first woman Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

4. She became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1991 and served the State as Chief Minister from June, 1991 to May, 1996, from May, 2001 to September, 2001, from March, 2002 to May, 2006, from May, 2011 to September, 2014 and from May, 2015 to 5.12.2016.

5. People of Tamil Nadu have lost their popular leader. The Cabinet extends its heartfelt condolences to the people of Tamil Nadu on behalf of the Government and the entire nation.”

Courtesy – Press Information Bureau, Government of India