BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today described Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's demise as a national loss while the state assembly was adjourned for the day after obituary
references to the departed leader.
Expressing grief over the death of Jayalalithaa in Chennai last night, the chief minister, who attended the AIADMK supremo's funeral, said she was the leader of the masses and had made immense contribution to the development and welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu.
Moving the obituary motion on her death in the assembly, the chief minister said Jayalalithaa had a special relationship with Odisha and its people. She always stood by us in both our good and bad times, he said.
She had been a great admirer of Biju Babu and always displayed her reverence for him, Naveen said and added during the time of natural calamity she had been very helpful to the state.
"She was very supportive of us in the protection and safety of migrant labourers working in Tamilnadu," Naveen said and added, "she was kind enough to allot land in a prime locality of Chennai for construction of Odisha Bhawan."
She was one of the first political leaders to extend support unequivocally, when the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) floated the name of late PA Sangma for the Presidency of India, he said.
Describing her as the 'Iron Lady' of Tamil Nadu, the chief minister said her benevolent measures endeared her to one and all. The people of Tamil Nadu affectionately referred her as Amma, he said and added she enjoyed a huge mandate and was known for her administrative calibre and political wisdom. She steered the state on the path of progress and prosperity, he said.
The chief minister said the people of Odisha stand in solidarity with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief and bereavement. Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra and BJP legislature party leader K V Singhdeo also paid tributes to Jayalalithaa and members of the Assembly stood in silence for a minute as a mark of respect, before Speaker Niranjan Pujari adjourned the house for the day.
Among others, president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Prasad Harichandan and BJD MP Baijayant Panda have condoled her death.