CHENNAI: Handpicked by J Jayalalithaa, O Panneerselvam, the ‘Mr Faithful’ of the AIADMK supremo, is all set to be the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after he was today elected as leader of the legislature party in the wake of her conviction in an illegal assets case.
In swift developments, 63-year-old Panneerselvam, who was chosen by Jayalalithaa to fill her shoes in a similar situation in 2001, was unanimously elected as leader of AIADMK Legislature Party and promptly invited by Governor K Rosaiah to form government, a day after she was sent to jail for four years leading to her disqualification from the Assembly.
A trusted lieutenant of Jayalalithaa, Panneerselvam belongs to the dominant Mudukulathor community and has risen from humble origins. He once ran a tea stall which his family still owns. Elected for the first time to the Assembly in 2001, he held two key portfolios of Finance and Public Works in her Ministry. He is also the AIADMK Treasurer.
Indications are that he is likely to be sworn-in tomorrow although there was no official confirmation from Raj Bhavan.
OPS, as he is known in political circles, was Jayalalithaa’s choice and his name was understood to have communicated by Jayalalithaa in the court itself after she was convicted and sentenced in the Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case. She also had a long conversation with him in the court before she was lodged in Bangalore jail.
The events signalled a repeat of 2001. The loyal footsoldier of Jayalalithaa had acted as a nightwatchman when she had to step down due to her conviction in TANSI land scam.
The soft spoken and suave leader returned the Chief Minister’s chair six months later when she was acquitted in the case.
Panneerselvam, who represents Bodinayakanur constituency in the state Assembly unity, met Rosaiah this evening and submitted a letter and the resolution passed by the legislators of the crisis-ridden AIADMK.
“Consequently, His Excellency the Governor has invited him to form the Ministry,” a Raj Bhavan communique said without divulging details.
Panneerselvam shoulders a gigantic responsibility at a time when his party supremo, called ‘Amma’ by her supporters, faces an uncertain political future and Assembly elections are just 18 months away.
Unless the conviction is overturned by a superior court, Jayalalithaa runs the risk of being barred from contesting elections for 10 years — four years when she is in jail and six years after release.
The ever-smiling OPS began his political career with his election to Periyakulam Municipality and went on to become its Chairman during 1996-2001.
A graduate, he was elected to the state assembly in the 2001 elections and straight away made Revenue Minister by Jayalalithaa. (Agencies)
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