CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Assembly has paid rich tributes to late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa with Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and DMK leader MK Stalin and others giving eulogies. The mood remained sombre as many ministers and MLAs were seen getting overwhelmed and wiped tears. Panneerselvam moved a resolution and in his introductory speech described the day she died, December 5, as a "dark day for Tamil Nadu".
He recalled the Amma's political career and hailed her as "gutsy." "Amma received plaudits and appreciation from various political party leaders and their members for their oratorical skills, visionary schemes, her approach towards people and tireless hard work," he said. He recalled her uniting AIADMK after party founder MG Ramachandran's death, adding that she went on to become an "unparalleled leader". He talked of how she established Tamil Nadu's rights in inter-state water disputes while ushering in 'Brand Amma' under which a number of schemes were running.
Leader of Opposition, Stalin, recalled that both he and Jaya had first entered the State Assembly in 1989- he as a ruling DMK member and she, as the Leader of Opposition. "Her speciality was that she was unfazed in facing things," he said. The resolution condoled her death and expressed sympathies with the people of the state "who are grieved over her demise." The House also observed a two-minute silence in respect of Jaya before adjourning for the day.
