AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa is all set to be sworn-in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for the fifth time on Saturday, days after the Karnataka High Court acquitted her in a disproportionate assets case.
Making a public appearance after nearly eight months, when she had been convicted by a special Bengaluru court and subsequently awarded four-year imprisonment, the 67-year-old leader called on Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah.
Later, the Governor's office issued a statement, saying that he has approved the recommendation made by chief minister-designate Jayalalithaa regarding allocation of portfolios among the council of ministers.
The swearing-in ceremony would be held at 11 am on 23 May at the Madras University Centenary Building. A total of 29 ministers, including Jayalalithaa, would be sworn-in.
On her way back to residence from the Raj Bhawan, Jayalalithaa offered floral tributes on the statue of AIADMK founder and her mentor MG Ramachandran. She was cheered by her followers all along the roads as they showered flowers on the leader.
Earlier in the day, Rosaiah accepted the resignation of Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and his council of ministers and invited Jayalalithaa to form a new government at the earliest.
The Karnataka High Court had on 11 May acquitted the AIADMK supremo in the 19-year-old disproportionate assets case, in which the special court had sentenced her to four years in jail and imposed a fine of ₹100 crore.
Here are the day's developments:
4:15 pm: J Jayalalithaa to be sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Saturday at 11 am.
Jayalalithaa to be sworn-in as CM at 11am at Madras University Centenary Auditorium tomorrow. #JayaReturns
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 22, 2015
3:15 pm: Jayalalithaa reaches her residence.
3:05 pm: Jayalalithaa heads back to her residence.
2:59 pm: Jayalalithaa offers floral tributes to AIADMK party founder and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MG Ramachandran's statue.
Mount Road (Chennai): Jayalalithaa pays floral tribute to MG Ramachandran (MGR). #JayaReturns pic.twitter.com/09AXxPd2kH
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 22, 2015
2:41 pm: Jayalalithaa on her way to pay floral tributes to Ramachandran's statue in Chennai.
The route is jam-packed with her supporters, who have gathered to get a glimpse of their Amma, who has appeared in public for the first time in eight months.
Chennai: Jayalalithaa leaves from Raj Bhavan, en route to garland MGR's statue. #JayaReturns pic.twitter.com/rPV0bcqEGc
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 22, 2015
2:33 pm: J Jayalalithaa leaves Raj Bhavan. She will pay tributes to Ramachandran shortly.
2:15 pm: Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah invites Jayalalithaa to take oath as CM.
Jayalalithaa, who is set to take oath as Chief Minister, meets Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah ... pic.twitter.com/CSMJ9kZN50
— NDTV Retweets (@NDTVRetweets) May 22, 2015
Chennai: Jayalalithaa to pay tributes to AIADMK party founder MG Ramachandran(MGR), shortly pic.twitter.com/LS9jJ8d5xZ
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 22, 2015
2:07 pm: Jayalalithaa meets Governor Rosaiah at Raj Bhavan.
Jayalalithaa Set to Return as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister [PHOTOS]
The security in and around Raj Bhavan has been beefed as her supporters have gathered on the roads to celebrate her comeback in politics.
Chennai: Security tightened outside Raj Bhawan #JayaReturns pic.twitter.com/L3rqVC39q4
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 22, 2015
Jayalalithaa is likely to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday.
