Iconic South Indian leader dies

By Abdul Gani

GUWAHATU, India (AA) – After decades at the forefront of politics in South India, the iconic former actress turned Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu state Jayalalithaa Jayaraman died Monday.

The 68-year-old affectionately known as 'Amma' in the region, died from cardiac arrest after a prolonged illness, said authorities from Apollo Hospitals in state capital Chennai.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics. Jayalalithaa ji’s connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women and marginalized will always be a source of inspiration."

Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the hospital to pay their last respects to the leader of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

Jayalalithaa acted in more than 100 films in various Indian languages before joining politics in 1982 and had served five terms as Tamil Nadu's chief minister since 1991, becoming popular for her welfare schemes and success in a male-dominated political scene.

In 2014 she was imprisoned in a corruption case but was released after a year, returning to her post as chief minister through a by-election.

She was also popular among Sri Lanka's Tamil minority because of her lobbying of the Indian government to support greater rights for Tamils in Sri Lanka.