The meeting of AIADMK MLAs on Sunday is said to have unanimously elected Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam as the party’s Legislative Party leader and he is likely to be sworn in as Chief Minister.

Raj Bhavan sources said the AIADMK had sought an appointment with Governor K. Rosaiah at 6 pm.

This is the second time Mr Panneerslevam has become the Chief Minister of the state.

PTI adds

Described as “Mr Faithful”, Panneerselvam belongs to the dominant Mudukulathor community and is a trusted lieutenant of Jayalalithaa.

The name of Mr. Panneerselvam was understood to have communicated by Jayalalithaa in the court itself after the verdict was pronounced on Saturday. She also had a long conversation with him in the court before she was lodged in Bangalore jail.

The soft spoken and suave leader literally functioned as “interm-chief minister” for about six months and duly vacated the post after Jayalalithaa was acquitted in the case.

Mr. Panneerselvam, who had been camping in Bangalore since Saturday when Jayalalithaa travelled there for the verdict in the disproportionate asset case, returned to the city on Sunday to take up the new responsibility as per her direction.

Soon after his election, Mr. Paneerselvam drove to Raj Bhavan to call on Governor Rosaiah to convey the party’s decision.

He was accompanied by Housing minister R. Vaithilingam, Electricity Minister Natham Viswanathan and Highway Minister Edappadi Palanisamy.

The press was denied entry into Raj Bhavan.

After the meeting with Mr. Paneerselvam, Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah invited newly elected AIADMK Legislature Party Leader to form the government.
Courtesy:The Hindu