Bengal Assembly adjourned on account of Jaya’s demise

The West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday condoled the demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, before adjourning the proceedings for the day as a mark of respect.

The National Flag on all state and central government establishments remained half mast as a mark of respect to her. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid floral tributes on the portrait of Jayalalithaa at the Sanhati Divas programme organised by the Trinamool Congress at the Gandhi statue.

Two Trinamool Congress MPs, Kalyan Banerjee and Derek O’ Brein were present at the funeral ceremony in Tamil Nadu.

Banerjee had expressed her eagerness to join the funeral ceremony of Jayalalithaa but because of the funeral timing and unavailability of flights she could not attend.

She tweeted on Tuesday morning: “Just got details about the funeral timings of dear Amma Jayalalithaa. Was very eager to be present but flight availability/timings from Kolkata not making it possible. Sending out two MPs Derek and Kalyan from Delhi on my behalf. As a mark of respect to late Jayalalithaa Ji, our Assembly has been adjourned for today with a deep sense of grief and sorrow. State mourning is also being observed. We are extremely saddened.”

On hearing the news of her death, Mamata Banerjee tweeted: “Popular, strong, bold, efficient, people friendly, charismatic leader Amma was always at the heart of people. Big loss. I am shocked, saddened. I humbly urge the people of Tamilnadu and AIADMK to face this big loss with courage and greatness. May she rest in peace.”

Partha Chatterjee at the Sanhati Divas meeting paid respects to Jayalalithaa. “Jayalalithaa had worked for the people and got their love and respect.”

Firhad Hakim said at the meeting: “Jayalalithaa was one of the front ranking leaders of secular movement in the country. With her death the country lost a secular leader. She will be remembered for her secular approach for generations to come,” he said.

The Tamil community in the city was shocked to get the news of her death. “For quite some time she was ill and we were all hoping that she will come out of the danger. But no one can defeat death. She was the architect of modern Chennai and will be remembered for years,” said P Subramaniyan who has been staying in Kolkata for the past five decades.

G Subramaniyam, a bank employee said: “Jayalalithaa’s role in Tamil films will be remembered for many years.”