Chennai, February 24 Profuse tributes were paid to the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on her 78th birth anniversary on Tuesday.
Remembering Jayalalithaa on the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said she held a special place in the hearts and minds of countless people as a "charismatic leader and outstanding administrator."
"Her life was one of immense grit and determination. As Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, she championed welfare-driven governance with a strong focus on women's empowerment, social justice, and inclusive development. She was both compassionate and decisive. I fondly recall my interactions with her," he said in a post on 'X'.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on 'X' that, through her commitment to the welfare of the poor and the empowerment of women, she reshaped Tamil Nadu's development and ensured governance reached the last person.
"Her dedication to public service will always remain an inspiration," Shah said.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami said Jayalalithaa is the party's identity and a "hope" for the poor.
"Every plan and every decision of Amma (Jayalalithaa), the revolutionary leader, set global standards for poverty alleviation and brightened the lives of the poor and simple people. She was a leader who fought to save Tamil Nadu with unwavering resolve even in times of trial," Palaniswami said on 'X'.
BJP leaders Tamilisai Soundararajan, BJP state chief Nainar Nagenthran, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, and several other leaders paid their tributes.
AIADMK observed the day across the state by organising blood donation camps and providing free meals to the poor.
In Chennai, Palaniswami, accompanied by party leaders and cadres, paid floral tributes to a statue of Jayalalithaa at the party's state headquarters and later cut a 78-kg cake to mark her birth anniversary, sharing it with party members.
After paying floral tributes to Jayalalithaa's portrait in Madurai, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran told reporters that Amma’s followers stood united in their resolve to dislodge the DMK and establish Jayalalithaa’s rule in the upcoming Assembly election.