Jayalalithaa makes grand comeback as Chief Minister, AIADMK in jubilant mood

Chennai: AIADMK workers across the state on Saturday broke into celebrations by bursting crackers, distributing sweets and playing traditional music following the return of their party leader Jayalalithaa as Chief Minister. Party men in several towns and cities were seen distributing buttermilk, among other items, to people in public places, bus-stands and railway stations.

They broke coconuts in fulfilment of vows, played traditional drums and other musical instruments to express their joy, shouting "Amma Vazhga...Amma vazhga (long live Amma)." Supporters also put up huge hoardings and posters of Jayalalithaa on roadsisdes besides party flags and festoons. Television sets were also placed at various points in Chennai to enable the public to witness the swearing-in live. In Madurai and Coimbatore, some party workers tonsured their heads in fulfilment of their vows and conducted special pooja at temples and churches. In Coimbatore, party workers performed 'milk abhishekam' on a portrait of Jayalalithaa. Fishermen in Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam and Pudukottai joined in the celebrations, hoping that Jayalalithaa’s return as Chief Minister would improve their living conditions.

Read: Mayor sponsors free food at Amma canteens

Festive atmosphere at venue

The swearing in of AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa as Chief Minister was marked by grand celebrations throughout the state.A festival atmosphere prevailed at the venue with people from all walks of life gathering to hail the return of 'Amma'. Ministers-designate and MLAs were beaming as the ‘Puratchi Thalavi’ walked up to the dais to be sworn in as CM. Superstar Rajinikanth was also seen in the gathering, exchanging greetings with actor Sarathkumar who was seated next to him. BJP leader and Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan was seen chatting with AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha deputy speaker M. Thambidurai. Sasikala was also present on the occasion.

Jayalalithaa's well-wishers and party supporters rose in unison to greet her, acknowledged with folded hands, as soon as the CM designate entered the auditorium. The party supporters shouted slogans hailing her return 'Puratchi Thalavi Vazhga' after she went up to the dais for the formal swearing-in.

Read: Shouts of joy reverberate on 7 kilometer stretch

Green is colour of victory

It was green all the way at the grand swearing-in ceremony of Jayalalithaa as Chief Minister on Saturday.   The AIADMK supremo chose to retain the same green colour and embroidered design as her attire as she did Friday while making her first public appearance in nearly eight months and garlanded the statues of her mentor and party founder M. G. Ramachandran and Dravidian leaders C. N. Annadurai and Periyar.

According to some party workers, green is Jayalalithaa’s lucky and favourite colour as could be seen in the shiny green backdrop decorations at the Madras university centenary auditorium where she took oath. The bouquet of flowers offered by her to Governor K. Rosaiah had green outer covering sheets. The green pen with which she signed the papers after being sworn in as Chief Minister and the glittering green stone in her ring also stood out. Sasikala was in the front row dressed in green. Some women party workers were also seen in green.

 Politicos, cine stars greet Jayalalithaa

From political leaders to film stars, all showered praises on Jayalalithaa after she took oath as Chief Minister at the Madras University auditorium here on Saturday.The VIPs wished Jayalalithaa a long innings, expressing confidence that she will continue with development work. Senior BJP leader and Union minister of state for shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said, "If Central and state governments work in tandem, Tamil Nadu can emerge as a frontline state and for (doing) that honourable Amma assuming office will be helpful."

Superstar Rajinikanth, attired in white, was seen clapping his hands as Jayalalithaa took the oath. He said he was very happy that Jayalalithaa was back as Chief Minister.
 Actor Prabu expressed confidence that the government under Jayalalithaa will deliver "more good things" to the people of the state. Veteran yesteryear actor M.N. Rajam said she was 'proud' to see a woman from the entertainment industry scale great heights in politics.