Chennai

Rich tributes were paid to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on her 78th birth anniversary on Tuesday.

Remembering Jayalalithaa on the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said she occupied a place in the hearts and minds of countless people as a charismatic leader and outstanding administrator.

“Her life journey was one of immense grit and determination. As the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, she championed welfare-driven governance with a strong focus on women empowerment, social justice and inclusive development. She was both compassionate and decisive. I recall with great joy my interactions with her,” he said in a post on the social media platform ‘X’.

Remembering Jayalalithaa Ji on her birth anniversary. She has made a place in the hearts and minds of countless people as a charismatic leader and outstanding administrator. Her life journey was one of immense grit and determination. As the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, she… pic.twitter.com/oqOSgme0Hk

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on ‘X’, through her commitment to the welfare of the poor and empowerment of women, she reshaped Tamil Nadu’s development and ensured governance reached the last person.

Tributes to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and people’s leader J. Jayalalithaa Ji on her Jayanti.

Through her commitment to the welfare of the poor and empowerment of women, she reshaped Tamil Nadu’s development and ensured governance reached the last person.

Her dedication…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 24, 2026

“Her dedication to public service will always remain an inspiration,” Shah said.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said Jayalalithaa is AIADMK’s identity and a “hope” of the poor.

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“Every plan and every decision of Amma (Jayalalithaa), the revolutionary leader, set the global standards for poverty alleviation and brightened the lives of the poor and simple people. She was a leader who fought to save Tamil Nadu with unwavering mental strength even in times of trials," Palaniswami said on ‘X’.

இதயதெய்வம் புரட்சித் தலைவி “அம்மா” அவர்களின் 78வது பிறந்த நாளில்,
அம்மாவின் நெடும் புகழை போற்றுகிறோம்,

“அம்மா” எங்களின் அடையாளம் … ஏழைகளின் நம்பிக்கை,
பெண்களின் தைரியம்,
தாய்மையின் உருவம்.
அதிகாரம் அவரை உயர்த்தவில்லை;
மக்கள் மீது கொண்ட அன்பே அவரை உயர்த்தியது.

புரட்சித்… pic.twitter.com/ByRVKtgrgb

— Edappadi K Palaniswami-SayYEStoWomenSafety&AIADMK (@EPSTamilNadu) February 24, 2026

Former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and several other leaders paid their tributes.

இரும்பு பெண்ணாக நின்று.. கடுமையான அரசியல் சூழ்நிலைகளை.. துரும்பு என்று சமாளித்து... கடுமையாகத் தெரிந்தாலும்.. மனதில் கரும்பு என்று... நிரூபித்து... கட்சி எல்லை கடந்து.. பெண்கள் விரும்பும் தலைவியாக.. வலம் வந்த... மரியாதைக்குரிய.. முன்னாள் முதலமைச்சர் அம்மா ஜெயலலிதா அவர்களை அவர்… pic.twitter.com/QAavrkzDpj

— Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (@DrTamilisai4BJP) February 24, 2026