#RIPAmma: Tamil Nadu government announces seven-day mourning for the demise of Jayalalithaa

New Delhi: As an era in Tamil Nadu politics came to an end with the demise of Jayalalithaa, the government announced a seven-day mourning for the demise of the late Chief Minister.

After denying rumours of her death which spread like fire on Monday evening, Apollo Hospitals, where Jayalalithaa was undergoing treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest, issued a statement on late Monday night confirming the news of her death.

"It is with indescribable grief, we announce the sad demise of our esteemed Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma at 11.30 p.m.," the hospital said in a statement.

The state government has announced seven days of mourning, with educational institutions set to be closed for three days.

Soon after Jayalalithaa's death, the AIADMK legislators elected Finance Minister and long-time Jayalalithaa loyalist O. Panneerselvam to succeed the departed leader.

Shortly after 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Panneerselvam took the oath of office and secrecy. Thirty-one ministers were also sworn-in with him.