Tributes paid to Jayalalithaa on her death anniversary

Tributes were paid to late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa and actress on her ninth death anniversary on Friday, with senior leaders across the state recalling her political legacy, welfare governance, and enduring popularity.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) led the party in paying homage at the late leader’s memorial on Marina Beach. Addressing party cadres, he urged them to “end the family rule in Tamil Nadu,” accusing the ruling dispensation of misgovernance and distancing itself from the values upheld by Jayalalithaa.

Several AIADMK functionaries and district-level workers also offered floral tributes, while remembering landmark public-welfare schemes introduced during her tenure, including the Amma canteen, Amma pharmacy, gold for ‘Thali’ for poor women, free laptops for students, and her politically significant contribution in securing constitutional protection for Tamil Nadu’s 69% reservation policy.

Jayalalithaa, born on February 24, 1948, was one of India’s most influential women leaders, known for her decisive leadership, mass appeal, and extensive welfare network. Her death on December 5, 2016, after 75 days of hospitalisation, left a deep void in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. A biopic(Thalaivii) was made on her as well.

From the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), senior leader and former AIADMK minister K A Sengottaiyan also paid tribute on social media, recalling Jayalalithaa’s “sacrifices” and saying her fame would endure forever. His tribute stood out particularly because it followed internal debates within TVK regarding the party’s references to former Dravidian stalwarts. While Sengottaiyan openly honoured the late leader, TVK founder Vijay did not issue any public statement or make an appearance, creating a mild contrast in the party’s approach toward acknowledging Jayalalithaa’s legacy.

Political observers noted that this difference reflects TVK’s ongoing effort to carve out a distinct identity while navigating the legacies of Tamil Nadu’s towering political icons.

Across Tamil Nadu, supporters, women’s groups, and beneficiaries of Amma welfare schemes held remembrance events, highlighting Jayalalithaa’s enduring emotional connect with the public. Though no major national leaders made official statements this year, the tributes within the state underscored her continued relevance and influence, even nine years after her passing.