One of India’s most influential and colourful politicians, J Jayalalitha, has died at the age of 68.
The Apollo Hospital in the southern Indian city of Chennai said Jayalalithaa died at 11:30 p.m. local time after undergoing surgery Monday following a heart attack on Sunday night.
Known by her followers as “Amma,” which means “Mother” in the Tamil language, Jayalalithaa inspired intense loyalty among film fans and political supporters alike.
Thousands of her supporters had gathered to pray for her recovery.
Extra police have been deployed in the southern state amid fears of unrest among her supporters.
