PM Modi pays tribute to Jayalalithaa in Chennai

The PM reached Chennai and headed straight for Rajaji Hall.

Jayalalithaa will be cremated at Marina Beach at 4:30 pm on Tuesday.

Modi placed a wreath on the mortal remains of the leader and consoled Jaya's close aide Sashikala who was in tears.

Jayalalithaa's body has been kept wrapped in a tricolour for countless followers to pay their tribute. She was taken there from her Poes Garden residence.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President are also scheduled to visit Chennai to pay their last respects.But reports said the plane of the President developed a minor problem midair and had to return back to Delhi.

An alternative arrangement is reportedly being made for the President who wants to go to Chennai.

A national mourning has been declared in India while both of House of Parliament were adjourned for the day after paying a tribute to the late leader.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu already paid his respects at the venue.

Her body has been kept draped in a green saree, one of her favourites as mourners paid visits in thousands and many cried "Amma" and wailed and beat their chests. 

She would be laid to rest by the side of her political mentor M G Ramachandran.

A six-time Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, popularly known as Amma among her followers, breathed her last at Chennai's Apollo Hospitals at 1130 pm Monday after a 75-day long fight. She suffered a massive cardiac arrest on Sunday and finally succumbed after being in life support.

Following her death, the party members have chosen O Panneerselvam as her successor.  Panneerselvam already took oath as the Chief Minister.