CHENNAI: Leaders on Monday paid tributes to former chief minister J Jayalalithaa on her 77th birth anniversary.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami led the celebration at the party headquarters, describing Jayalalithaa as a noble leader who lives in the hearts of Tamils.
Several senior leaders, including K A Sengottaiyan and P Thangamani, were notably absent from this event. Splinter groups within the AIADMK held their own separate celebrations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X that Jayalalithaa was widely admired as a compassionate leader and outstanding administrator who devoted her life to Tamil Nadu’s development. “It is my privilege that I had the opportunity to interact with her on innumerable occasions. She was always very warm and supportive of pro-people initiatives,” Modi said. He shared a photograph of himself with Jayalalithaa at her Poes Garden residence in 2015, a year after becoming Prime Minister.
At the AIADMK headquarters, Palaniswami garlanded Jayalalithaa’s statue, cut a cake, and launched the party’s sports wing. Addressing the gathering, Palaniswami recalled the state girl protection day observed by his previous regime on Jayalalithaa’s birthday.
He urged the state govt to protect the girl children from sexual offences and sensitise teachers on the issue. In a social media post, Palaniswami urged appealed to work towards Jayalalithaa’s vision for the AIADMK.
“A victorious AIADMK-led alliance will be formed, and we are going to achieve amazing victories. Let us work tirelessly and serve as Amma’s true cadres,” he said.
Former chief minister O Panneerselvam and his supporters paid tributes to Jayalalithaa at the state council for higher education. “Our cadres’ wish is to see the party stay united. Our leaders dedicated their lives to safeguard the party for five decades. We are also waging a dharmayudh to realise the wishes of our cadres,” OPS said.
AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran emphasised Jayalalithaa’s perseverance in implementing welfare schemes despite facing numerous obstacles.
Expelled AIADMK members, including V Pugazhendi and P Ravindhranath, paid their respects at Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence. Jayalalithaa’s niece, Deepa Madhavan, who now owns the property, believed the lack of unity could negatively impact the AIADMK in the 2026 elections.
“AIADMK should unite for it to return to power,” she said. BJP state president K Annamalai described Jayalalithaa on X as a great nationalist.