Tamil Nadu chief Minister and AIADMK chief Selvi J Jayalalithaa, popularily known as ‘Amma’ is no more. The whole of Tamil Nadu grieves for the loss. Amma has done plenty of populist measures for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu. The most popular is the Amma canteen which feeds the poor for Rs 5/-.

68-year-old Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration and later treated for infection and respiratory problems. She has recovered and started to talk and was expected to leave the hospital shortly.

But suddenly on Sunday, she had a severe cardiac arrest and was rushed to the ICU of the Apollo hospital. She has been put on extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a heart assist device and was under the watch of experts, including cardiologists.

"There was an angio procedure this morning. Doctors say don't worry, Amma will be fine," AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi had said on Monday morning, adding, "we are telling cadres don't worry. God is with Amma, she will come back. Definitely she will be ok."

The ministers of the Tamil Nadu cabinet has met in the hospital and took the important decisions.

It is rumoured that Finance Minister O Pannerselvam will be the heir to Selvi J Jayalalitha, but there are many other aspirants. It is also said that Sasikala will take control of the party. Retired IAS officer, Sheela Balakrishnan, 62, is credited with running the state administration while the chief minister is battling her illness and is expected that she may take over the party and government.

DMK which was out of power so long with Stalin at helm is ready to play a dirty game to take over the government in the absence of a strong leader for AIADMK.

By Premji