Amma returns: Jayalalithaa takes oath as Tamil Nadu CM for the fifth time

Chennai: AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the fifth time on Saturday, nearly eight months after she was forced to quit over the disproportionate assets case.

Jayalalithaa took the oath in the name of God in Tamil in a simple function held at the University of Madras Centenary Auditorium.

On Friday, the 67-year-old leader was re-elected as legislature party leader at a meeting of AIADMK MLAs at its headquarter.

Read: Tough time for security as crowds throng roads to look at Jayalalithaa

Including Jayalalithaa, a total of 29 ministers were sworn in by Governor K Rosaiah.

Jayalalithaa now matches the record of DMK leader M Karunanidhi of being CM five times.

Supporters gather outside Madras University, Chennai. (Photo: ANI Twitter)

The mega-event began at 11am today. Jayalalithaa along with her 28-member cabinet took the oath of office and secrecy in the name of God.

Read: Jayalalithaa’s ‘lucky colour’ galore at her swearing-in ceremony

Over 35,000 AIADMK member and special invitees attended the event. Superstar Rajinikanth was also present at her political resurgence.

Jayalalithaa’s supporters had thronged Chennai since morning and were seen celebrating the return of ‘Amma’.

Women showered petals at her vehicle and offered prayers.

Read: Chronology of events leading to J Jayalalithaa's return as Tamil Nadu CM

As for portfolio allocations, Jayalalithaa's trusted lieutenant O Panneerselvam has been given Finance and Public works, which he held previously too. Natham R Viswanathan will continue to hold electricity, prohibition and excise portfolio.

R Vaithilingam will be the Housing and Urban Development Minister while S Gokula Indira will head Handlooms and Textiles ministry. B Valarmathi will be the Social Welfare Minister and Edappadi K Palaniswami the Minister for Highways and Minor Ports and Forests.

Read: State law department examining HC judgement on Jayalalithaa: Karnataka CM

The portfolio of forests was held by MSM Anandan previously in Panneerselvam Cabinet. Other ministers sworn in include P Mohan (Rural industries), P Palaniappan (Higher Education) Sellur K Raju (Cooperation), R Kamaraj (Food and HR and CE), P Thangamani (Industries), V Senthil Balaji (Transport) M C Sampath (Commercial Taxes), S P Velumani (Municipal Administration, Rural Development, Law, Courts and Prison) and TKM Chinnayya (Animal Husbandry).

S Sundararaj (Sports), SP Shunmuganathan (Tourism), N Subramanian (Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare), K A Jayapal (Fisheries), Mukkur N Subramanian (Information Technology), K T Rajenthra Bhalaji (Information and Special Programmes Implementation), B V Ramanaa (Milk and Dairy), K C Veeramani (School Education), Thoppu ND Venkatachalam (Environment), TP Poonachi (Khadi), S Abdul Rahim (Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare) and D C Vijayabaskar (Health) are the other minister.

Read: ‘Glaring arithmetical error’ in Jayalalithaa verdict, says special public prosecutor

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The police’s top brass had been supervising the security arrangements since Wednesday.  

Meanwhile, on Friday, several parts of the city came to a standstill as the AIADMK General secretary made her first public appearance following her acquittal in the disproportionate assets case. Hordes of cadres gathered near Raj Bhavan where she met Governor K. Rosaiah around 2 pm.

Read: Cadres bask in Jayalalithaa’s grace

Jayalalithaa was disqualified following her conviction in the Rs 66.66 crore disproportionate assets case by a trial court in Bengaluru on September 27. The Karnataka High Court had subsequently acquitted her of the charges on May 11.