Modi pays last respects to Jayalalithaa

Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid his last respects to the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, who died here on Monday night after a 74-day battle for life.

Modi flew down to Chennai in a special aircraft. From the airport he took a helicopter and landed near Rajaji Hall where Jayalalithaa's tri-colour-draped body was kept for her followers to pay their last respects. Modi and Jayalalithaa enjoyed a good rapport.

Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao received Modi at the Chennai airport.

The Prime Minister greeted the people lined up along the street with folded hands.

At Rajaji Hall, he comforted Jayalalithaa's successor Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and her close confidante Sasikala Natarajan.

Modi laid a floral wreath on Jayalalithaa's body as a mass of people thronged the public hall to pay their last respects to the AIADMK leader. Before leaving, the Prime Minister embraced Panneerselvam to console him.

Jayalalithaa's body will be cremated with full state honours Tuesday evening near her mentor M.G. Ramachandran's (MGR) memorial at Marina Beach.