J Jayalalithaa takes oath, returns as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

Amma returns: Meets governor and submits party's resolution electing her as leader

AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitha returns as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after the swearing-in ceremony held at the Madras University Centenary audtiorium in the city today.

Tamil Nadu Governor Dr K Rosaiah administered the oath of office and secrecy to Jayalalitha, who would be assuming office as Chief Minister for the fifth time, and her Council of Ministers.

“The governor of Tamil Nadu approved the recommendation made by J Jayalalitha, Chief Minister-Designate regarding allocation of portfolios among the council of Ministers. The swearing-in ceremony will be held on May 23 at 11 am", an official communique from the Raj Bhavan said on Friday.

A total of 29 ministers, including Jayalalitha, would be sworn in. Earlier in the day, the AIADMK MLAs unanimously elected her as their Legislature Party leader, following which incumbent Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met the governor and submitted his resignation along with his Council of Ministers. After the Governor invited her to do so, Jayalalitha met him and staked her claim to form the next government. 

Jayalalitha will keep the key portfolios of Home Department, Police, Public, IAS, IPS, IFS, General Administration and District Revenue Officers, sources said.Outgoing Chief Minister Panneerselvam would become the second highest in the Cabinet and retains the portfolios of Finance and Public Works.

Jayalalitha steered her party to massive win in the May 2011 Assembly polls and became Chief Minister by single-handedly decimating the opposition parties including the strong Karunanidhi-led DMK.

She also guided the AIADMK to a thumping victory in the May 2014 general elections, winning 37 of the 39 seats in Tamil Nadu. Following her conviction by a trial court in the disproportionate assets case on September 27 last year, Jayalalitha lost her MLA post. 

After the Karnataka High Court acquitted her on May 11 this year, there was little doubt that Jayalalitha would again assume the office of Chief Minister, sooner than later. And this she will do on Saturday.