The body of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa who passed away late on Monday, was kept at Chennai's Rajaji Hall on Tuesday morning, for people to pay their last respects.
The funeral is expected to take place at 4.30 pm on Tuesday at the Dr MGR Memorial Site, Kamarajar Salai, Marina Beach, Chennai.
The body, which was first taken to her Poes Garden residence from Apollo Hospital late on Monday, was moved to the hall later.
Hundreds of supporters thronged the area on Tuesday morning to pay their respects to the former Chief Minister.
Present CM O Paneerselvam along with many AIADMK leaders, were present at the hall throughout the ceremony.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to visit Chennai later in the day.
Her casket was also draped in the national flag.
All shops and establishments near Rajaji Hall and Anna Salai have been shut down. There is no vehicle movement or traffic, and people are only allowed to walk.
Parking for anyone who is visiting Rajaji Hall, is being arranged at Island Grounds.
The PM is likely to attend the funeral procession
The route of the procession will be via Anna Salai (Anna Statue), Wallajah Road (Simpsons showroom,) Chepauk Stadium and MGR Samadhi
Since the PM is likely to attend, the organizers want to keep the ceremony short.
Security has been beefed up at all surrounding areas.
The bodies of two former chief ministers, K Kamaraj and M G Ramachandran, were kept at the same venue for public viewing when they had passed away.
According to reports, some supporters stormed the barricades outside her residence in the early hours of Tuesday, while her body was being moved, resulting in the police trying to push them back using lathis.
Minutes after Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa was declared dead by doctors at Chennai’s Apollo Hospital, tweets poured in from eminent politicians of the country.
Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee tweeted expressing grief.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi in a statement said, "I am deeply grieved to learn of the passing away of Selvi J Jayalalithaa. Selvi Jayalalithaa lived her entire life with the same indomitable courage with which she battled her last illness."
She added, "The Congress Party, my family and I personally, share the grief and pain of the people of Tamil Nadu and her devoted supporters in the AIADMK, who have lost their beloved 'Amma'."
Leader of Opposition MK Stalin said, "I am deeply shocked and worried on the demise of Jayalalithaa. Though we had different political opinions in the state of affairs in TN, her loss will be irreparable to the state. I lead the DMK in mourning her loss and express deep condolences to the AIADMK cadres and people of the state who are deeply saddened by her loss."
Party MP Kanimozhi tweeted: "We've lost a leader with calibre and individuality."
Chennai: #Jayalalithaa's mortal remains being taken from her residence Poes Garden to Rajaji Hall pic.twitter.com/Im5ApZ4eQu
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 6, 2016
Mortal remains of #Jayalalithaa brought to Rajaji Hall in Chennai (Tamil Nadu), for people to pay their last tributes pic.twitter.com/oSMlQ1jyRp
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 6, 2016
Chennai: Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu pays his last tribute to #Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall where her mortal remains have been kept pic.twitter.com/68Ph1HI3JO
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 6, 2016
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