The government of Karnataka declared Tuesday a day of mourning in the state as a sign of respect to the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Lauding her as one of the “tallest personalities” in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that her death had caused a great loss. 

Siddaramaiah went to Chennai by a special flight to pay his last respects to the departed leader. The flight left from HAL Airport and landed in Chennai at around 1.15pm. 

Recollecting her entry into AIADMK as a propaganda secretary and a Rajya Sabha member before she became the state head, CM Siddaramaiah said that Jayalalithaa had carved a niche for herself in the hearts and minds of the people, PTI reported. Siddaramaiah also praised her many public welfare and women-centric schemes. 

“Though Jayalalithaa has left this world and entered into the pages of history, she will be remembered forever in Tamil Nadu. May her soul rest in peace. Let the almighty give strength to her huge family of millions of admirers, who are inside and outside Tamil Nadu, to bear the irreparable loss, at this hour of grief,” Siddaramaiah told PTI.

Other politicians who paid their respected to the deceased leader included former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, who is in New Delhi currently, will be visiting Chennai to pay his last respects, party sources told PTI.

Former Chief Minister and BJP state President BS Yeddyurappa condoled the late CM’s death and said that due to unavailability of flights, he was not going to Chennai.