 "Jayalalithaa returns to power, takes charge as Tamil Nadu CM")
AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa today returned as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, for the fifth time, amid celebrations by party cadres and supporters all over the state.
Jayalalithaa was forced to step down seven months back after a Special Court convicted her in a disproportionate assets case, which was later struck down by the Karnataka High Court.
The 67-year-old AIADMK supremo was administered oath of office and secrecy by Governor K Rosaiah.
The 67-year-old AIADMK supremo was administered oath of office and secrecy by Governor K Rosaiah.
AIADMK cadres have been celebrating Jayalalithaa's return since yesterday. The chain of events started on Friday morning at 7.15 am when all AIADMK MLAs assembled at the party headquarters to elect Jayalaithaa as the leader of legislature party. Following this, O Panneerselvam resigned as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Immediately after, the governor invited Jayalaithaa to form the government.
Post noon, after nearly seven months, Jayalalithaa made her first appearance from her Poes Garden residence and drove straight to Raj Bhavan to hand over the list of 29 Cabinet Ministers. Then she went on to garland statues of three leaders – Anna, Periyar and MGR.
During these activities, the main part of the city came to halt for three hours and was full of Jayalaithaa's posters and boards.
On Saturday morning, the beach road heading to Madras University, where Jayalalithaa took oath, was blocked to give a easy ride to VVIPs. The road also connects Jayalalithaa's house, Raj Bhavan and other major VVIPs. Both sides of the roads were full of huge banners and AIADMK flags.
Aroun 11:15 am, Jayalalithaa took oath as the Tamil Nadu CM again.
The AIADMK chief had come to power for the third time in 2011 after winning a massive majority in the state’s 234-seat assembly.
The AIADMK chief had come to power for the third time in 2011 after winning a massive majority in the state’s 234-seat assembly.
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Experts believe that governance will be restored post her return and one can see an “active” government which was missing for the last seven months. Some of the major welfare schemes under the Amma brand are expected to go on full stream now.
The ceremony also brought together India Cements Vice Chairman N Srinivasan and SPIC Chairman Emeritus A C Muthiah. Both former BCCI Presidents were friends initially, but their relationship turned bitter later. Muthiah was the first one to raise conflict of interest charge against Srinivasan, who was both the BCCI President as well had interest in IPL team Chennai Super Kings.
The other representatives from Chennai's corporate world present included MRF Chairman, T T Kannan of Thyagaraja Group and others.
Kollywood starts Rajinikanth, Sarathkumar (who also heads a party which is a partner of AIADMK) and Prabhu were also present.
Kollywood starts Rajinikanth, Sarathkumar (who also heads a party which is a partner of AIADMK) and Prabhu were also present.
Jayalalithaa is also likely to contest from the Radhakrishnan Nagar assembly constituency and get re-elected to the assembly.