Mamata unable to attend Jayalalithaa's funeral, sends TMC MPs

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that Trinamool Congress MPs Derek O'Brien and Kalyan Banerjee would attend the funeral of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on her behalf as she could not make it.

"Just got details about funeral timings of dear Amma Jayalalitha. Was very eager to be present but flight availability timings from Kolkata not making it possible," she said in a statement.

"Sending our 2 MPs -- Derek and Kalyan from Delhi on my behalf. RIP," Banerjee said.

Jayalalithaa, a popular leader who showered the poor with populist programmes, died last night at a private hospital in Chennai after battling for life for 75 days.