The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Saturday said 280 people had died in Tamil Nadu because of shock and grief over the health and subsequent death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. The party also announced compensation of Rs 3 lakh for the families of the 203 supporters who had immolated themselves after hearing the news of “Amma’s” death.

The toll earlier stood at 77. On Thursday, the AIADMK had also announced a Rs-50,000 compensation for the family of a party worker, who had attempted self-immolation.

Jayalalithaa had been in hospital from September 22 till she died on December 5. The 68-year-old was buried near her mentor MG Ramachandran’s memorial at Marina Beach in Chennai. Her death came as a shock to the state and party workers. The popular leader was the first chief minister to win a second consecutive term in the state in 32 years, after she won the state Assembly elections in May.

The announcement of compensation comes soon after the state said it had allocated Rs 15 crore for Jayalalithaa’s memorial in Chennai.

Meanwhile, rumours continue to fly about the role the former chief minister’s longtime aide Sasikala Natarajan will assume in the party. While some have said she might be elected to the AIADMK’s top post of general secretary, the party’s senior leader C Ponnaiyan said that the new chief will be elected unanimously.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who was sworn in barely two hours after Jayalalithaa’s death was announced, will convene his first Cabinet meeting on Saturday.