She chartered a distinct path of governance through strong leadership

In a letter to the Tamil Nadu government, Bedi, while condoling Jaya’s death, said she always carved a niche for herself in all walks of life, be it as a student excelling in academics, be it as an artist, as a versatile actor and culminating in politics as a leader of the masses and elite.  She is a symbol of women empowerment, who always had her heart for the cause of women, Bedi said. She further said that Jayalalithaa had pioneered in setting up all woman police stations throughout the state to correct gender bias. Jayalalithaa had also introduced 30 per cent quota for women  in government jobs. The people of Puducherry  share the sorrow of the loss along with the people of  Tamil Nadu, she added.