Bengaluru, DHNS: Mourning the loss of their leader J Jayalalithaa, people gathered in groups in areas like Srirampuram, Okalipuram, Gandhinagar, Kalasipalyam, Binny Mills and Halasuru.

Party workers of the city chapter of AIADMK gathered near the Sunrise Arunachalam Circle in Srirampuram and prayed to immortalise her memory.

“She was compassionate to the needy and an able administrator. Her loss has been a great shock to us. We will always remember her,” said Velu, an AIADMK party worker.

Puja was performed to a large cutout of Jayalalithaa near the Amma canteen in Kalasipalyam. “She did a lot for the development of women and children and for education. Nobody can replace her,” said Sharavanan, a resident of Srirampuram.

Some Tamil-speaking people also donated their day’s earnings to the needy, following the path of their idol Jayalalithaa. People sang songs composed in her memory, to show their sorrow and affection. The Bangalore Tamil Sangham in Halasuru held a condolence meeting in the evening. Around 120 people, representing Congress, BJP, All India Tamil Federation and other associations gathered.

“She was like God to the poor in Tamil Nadu. She was an iron lady and encouraged social workers. Her demise is a great loss to us,” said

G Damodaran, president of Bangalore Tamil Sangham. He recollected his personal interaction with her eight years ago when they had gone to hand over a cheque for Rs 1 lakh for tsunami relief work.