CHENNAI: With calls to make former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s residence a memorial gaining momentum, AIADMK cadre continued to throng to have a glimpse of Veda Nilayam in Poes Garden.
The atmosphere was sombre on Binny Road stretch where AIADMK legislators and cadre used to queue up almost on a daily basis. A fortress till the other day, it is more accommodative now with the public being allowed in batches to catch a glimpse from outside.
Men were seen tonsuring their heads at a small temple nearby, while women in groups mourned the death of the former CM.
There was a sense of disappointment for the visiting public and cadres though. “My wife, a fan of Jayalalithaa, wanted to see where ‘Amma’ lived. However, we were let only until the gates and sent off,” said D Vasanthan. He had come from Mamallapuram with his family hearing that public were allowed entry inside Veda Nilayam.
Some party functionaries are of the opinion that only a portion of this palatial building should be converted into a museum displaying her personal memorabilia and the rest be kept intact for party activities.
Incidentally, newly sworn-in CM O Pannerselvam and other senior ministers arrived in the afternoon and were said to be huddled in a meeting.
In stark contrast, the AIADMK headquarters in Royapettah wore a deserted look. Similar was the scene at Pannerselvam’s residence in Greenways Road.
At the Secretariat, things were limping back to normalcy with most senior bureaucrats resuming their work. Later in the evening, the staff went on a procession to Marina, where the former CM was laid to rest.