Bengaluru: The state government on Tuesday declared a day of state mourning as a mark of respect to AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah describing her as one of the "tallest personalities" in Tamil Nadu politics whose demise had caused an "irreparable loss."

Recollecting her joining the AIADMK, where she served as propaganda secretary and Rajya Sabha member before becoming the Chief Minister, he said Ms Jayalalithaa became one of the tallest personalities not merely in the Tamil Cinema, but also in Tamil Nadu Politics. “Now, it’s all a history.”

“By acting in more than 140 films, including Sri Shaila Mahathme, Chinnada Gombe, Amara Shilpi Jakanachari, Badukuva Daari, Mavana Magalu, Mane Aliya and Nanna Kartavya in Kannada and in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi movies, Jayalalithaa carved a niche for herself in the hearts and minds of people,” Mr Siddaramaiah said in his condolence message.

Noting that Ms Jayalalithaa became the youngest chief minister of her state, he said, “During that time, the 'cradle baby scheme', which she implemented to counter female infanticide and save the girl child, was appreciated from all quarters.”

He said the novel concepts of all women police station, women libraries and all women bank was effectively implemented by Jayalalithaa during her regime.

He pointed out that Jayalalithaa's "toughness" in administration, "strict discipline" in party affairs, and pro-people popular schemes like Amma Canteen and Amma Water created "an ocean of admirers" for her. “All these have now created an environment in Tamil Nadu, which is not ready to accept that she is no more," he said.