File Photo: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa (Press Trust of India)
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today said she won't attend the funeral of former President APJ Abdul Kalam in Rameswaram tomorrow owing to "health condition".
"I have great affection and respect for Abdul Kalam. I would like to attend his funeral and pay my respects to him. However, owing to my health condition I am not in a position to travel," she said.
Dr Kalam's funeral will be held in Rameswaram, around 600 km from Chennai.
Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, Electricity Minister Natham R Viswanathan, Housing Minister R Vaithilingam and several other ministers will attend the funeral on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government.
Ms Jayalalithaa said as a mark of respect for Dr Kalam, Thursday would be a public holiday in the state.
She said following a request from Dr Kalam's family, government land had been allotted for burying the mortal remains of the former president who died on Monday in Shillong.
"I have great affection and respect for Abdul Kalam. I would like to attend his funeral and pay my respects to him. However, owing to my health condition I am not in a position to travel," she said.
Dr Kalam's funeral will be held in Rameswaram, around 600 km from Chennai.
Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, Electricity Minister Natham R Viswanathan, Housing Minister R Vaithilingam and several other ministers will attend the funeral on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government.
Ms Jayalalithaa said as a mark of respect for Dr Kalam, Thursday would be a public holiday in the state.
She said following a request from Dr Kalam's family, government land had been allotted for burying the mortal remains of the former president who died on Monday in Shillong.
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