One of India’s most influential and colourful politicians, J Jayalalitha, has died at 68.<\/p>\n
The chief minister of Tamil Nadu state suffered a heart attack on Sunday night and died at 23:30 local time (18:00 GMT) on Monday, Chennai’s Apollo Hospital said.<\/p>\n
Thousands of her supporters had gathered to pray for her recovery.<\/p>\n
The former film star served as Tamil Nadu chief minister four times. She had been receiving treatment for months.<\/p>\n
Ms Jayalalitha is revered by many but seen by her critics as having created a cult of personality over the years.<\/p>\n
There are fears her death could spark unrest given the extreme devotion she inspires among her supporters, many of whom refer to her as “Amma” (mother).<\/p>\n
Earlier reports of her death, which were swiftly withdrawn, prompted scuffles between police and her supporters outside the private hospital.<\/p>\n
Tributes began to pour in for Ms Jayalalitha as soon as her death was confirmed by Apollo, which had been treating her since 22 September.<\/p>\n
Ms Jayalalitha’s party AIADMK – which had earlier lowered the flag to half-mast before hoisting it up once more – also confirmed she had died, tweeting “our beloved leader, the Iron lady of India… Amma, is no more”.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to offer his condolences.<\/p>\n
“I will always cherish the innumerable occasions when I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaa ji (honorific). May her soul rest in peace,” he tweeted.<\/p>\n
Khushboo Sundar, film actress and Congress party spokesperson, told the BBC: “It’s very painful for me. Despite our political differences, I had respected her. We were hoping against hope, none of us wanted her to lose this battle.<\/p>\n
“She was a symbol of strength for women like me. She fought against so many odds to make a name for herself in a male-dominated profession like politics. We have a lost a great politician, and a great champion of women’s rights.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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