PM Modi pays tribute to Jayalalithaa on her birth anniversary: 'Compassionate leader, outstanding administrator'

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa breathed her last on December 5, 2016

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on her 77th birth anniversary.

"Remembering Jayalalithaa Ji on her birth anniversary. She is widely admired as a compassionate leader and outstanding administrator who devoted her life for 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," the PM posted on X.

Remembering Jayalalithaa Ji on her birth anniversary. She is widely admired as a compassionate leader and outstanding administrator who devoted her life for Tamil Nadus development. It is my privilege that I had the opportunity to interact with her on innumerable occasions. She pic.twitter.com/oPMiT42YPY

Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2025

AIADMK members led by their party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami paid floral tributes to Jayalalithaa. Palaniswami, who arrived at the party state headquarters in Royapettah here, paid floral tributes to Jayalalithaa's decorated statue, along with other leaders and cadres.

Later he cut a gigantic cake weighing 77 kg and distributed it to the cadres. Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who was expelled from the AIADMK, paid floral tributes to Jayalalithaa’s statue in the city, separately accompanied by his followers.

Hailed as "Puratchi Thalaivi" (revolutionary leader), Idhaya Theivam (goddess of hearts), and Iron Lady by her followers and admirers, Jayalalithaa was born on February 24, 1948, and was known for her contribution to various sectors including social welfare, especially in reaching out to the poor and marginalised sections through innovative schemes like Amma Canteen, Amma Pharmacy, Gold for Thali (mangalsutra) for poor women, and girl child welfare schemes.

She is also hailed for the reservation policy, protecting state rights on Cauvery and for dominating the political scenario in a male-dominated world. She breathed her last on December 5, 2016 after hospitalisation for more than 75 days.

The party members organised blood donation camps in various parts of the state and distributed welfare aids including mixers, grinders, sewing machines, and medical kits, to mark the occasion.

Recalling her popular catchphrase “Makkalaal naan, makkalukkagave naan (I am because of the people, I am for the people), Palaniswami appealed to the cadres to strive for victory in the 2026 Assembly election.