Jayalalitha's long, special bond with Hyderabad

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha, who died in Chennai on Monday night, had a long and special bond with Hyderabad.

The connection, which began with her acting in Telugu films, grew stronger when she purchased few properties here.

At Kompally, on the city's outskirts, she owned an 18-acre farm, on which grapes, coconuts and bananas are grown.

The property, situated on the highway, was bought in the late 1960s. She also got a bungalow built in the farm.

A young actress then, she used to frequently visit Hyderabad to work in Telugu films.

It was during this period that she purchased a house in Srinagar Colony, a prime residential area in the city, the farm land at Jeedimetla and couple of other properties on the outskirts.

During her visits to Hyderabad, she used to stay at her Srinagar Colony house. Her visits became rare after she became active in politics and the building was later given to a company on lease.

Outside Chennai, Hyderabad was the only city where Jayalalitha had purchased properties and used to stay during her visits.

Jayalalitha's advisor and confidant Sashikala also used to visit the city to look after the farm house and other properties.

Jayalalitha's last visit to the city was in 2007 when she along with TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and leaders of other regional parties announced the formation of a front to provide an alternative to Congress-led UPA and BJP-led NDA.

--IANS

ms/mr