Jayalalithaa's demise has left a huge void in Indian politics: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who enjoyed a good personal equation with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, tonight expressed deep sadness over her demise and said it has left "a huge void in Indian politics".

Hailing the AIADMK supremo who passed away at a Chennai hospital tonight, Modi said her connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women and marginalised will always be "a source of inspiration".

He said he would always cherish the innumerable occasions when "I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaaji. May her soul rest in peace." In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said, "Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. Her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief." Jayalalithaa, a popular leader who showered the poor with populist programmes and a pole in state politics for three decades, died tonight at a private hospital in Chennai after battling for life for the past 75 days.

The 67-year-old leader, who suffered a massive cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, passed at 11:30 pm tonight, the Apollo Hospitals said in a statement.