GUWAHATI: Along with rest of the country, the Northeast is also shocked and saddened by the demise of J Jayalalithaa.
Meghalaya announced three days state mourning from Tuesday onwards as a mark of respect to her. Assam’s regional Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) also announced three days mourning. Politicians in the Northeast, cutting across party lines, have expressed shocked on the demise.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal called Jayalalithaa a towering leader who, he said, had lived and worked for the poor. “I am deeply saddened by her demise. She was a charismatic leader who had worked relentlessly for the welfare of the poor and the needy. May her soul rest in peace,” he said.
On behalf of his BJP-led coalition government, Industries Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary attended the funeral.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu shared the grief of losing one of the most “influential and dedicated leaders ever produced by India”.
“Lovingly called Amma, she worked for the poor and the downtrodden and left behind a political legacy to cherish. She championed the cause of rural and urban poor by introducing subsidized food canteens, providing free laptops to thousands of school pupils and students and launching other populist schemes like giving away food mixers and grinders to families…May the soul of one of the ablest daughters of Tamil Nadu rest in peace in the heavenly abode,” Khandu said in a condolence message.
Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang, who heads the state’s Naga People’s Front-led alliance government, said Jayalalithaa’s meteoric rise in the political firmament of south India within a few years of being introduced to politics was due to her charisma and strong determination to work for the welfare of common people.
“The passing away of the iconic figure is not only a loss to her political party and followers but also to the entire nation. I, on behalf of the people of Nagaland, join Tamil Nadu and the nation in mourning the death of the legendary leader,” he said in a condolence message.
AGP leader and two-time former Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta also expressed his condolences. “We express our condolences over the demise. Her death has brought an end to a glorious era of Tamil Nadu. We expect that the new generation will get inspired by her deeds,” he said.