| Jayalalitha
sworn in as Chief Minister
Express News
Service
Chennai,
May 14:
After much speculation and a great deal of controversy, Tamil Nadu
Governor finally invited AIADMK leader J Jayalalitha to form the
next government. And, amid the scenes of great jubilation, she was
sworn in as Chief Minister at a simple ceremony at Raj Bhavan this
evening.
Five others took the oath as ministers.
Jaya arrived, in cheerful mood clad in a dark green saree, at Raj
Bhavan after 6 pm. She took her oath and secrecy in Tamil and in
the name of God; moments after she finished, assembled partymen
shouted ‘puratchithalivi vazhaga’ (long live revolutionary
leader).
Those present included leaders of the front allies G K Moopanar
(TMC), N Sankaraiah (CPM), R Nallakannu (CPI), EVKS Elangovan (TNCC),
K V Thangabalu (TNCC) and K Veeramani (DK) were present.
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Wrong
decision: NDA
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Beevi
did right, say former Governors
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| New
Delhi: The BJP and its NDA allies criticised the decision to
invite Jayalalitha to form the government, insisting the latter
could not legally do so. BJP president Jana Krishnamurthy said
Jaya could not become Chief Minister even if elected leader
of her legislature party till all cases against her were cleared.
And NDA convenor George Fernandes said "If a person convicted
of corruption is invited to form the government, I don’t know
what would become of Indian democracy." |
Fatima
Beevi did not formally consult the Centre about her decision
to invite Jayalalitha to form the Government in Fort St George.
But, contrary to the loud protests being voiced, neither is
she required to do so nor, feel legal experts, did she have
any alternative but to give Jayalalitha the nod. Solicitor General
Harish Salve told The Indian Express that neither he nor Attorney-General
Soli Sorabjee were consulted on the matter either formally or
informally.
Read
Full Story |
Immediately
after the swearing-in Jayalalitha went to the Secretariat and assumed
office in her chamber. She held discussions with officials and cleared
some files.
The small hall in the Raj Bhavan was packed to the capacity with
leaders of various parties, newly elected MLAs and serving/retired
senior IAS/IPS officers. Earlier in the day, she was ‘unanimously’
elected leader of the 132-member AIADMK Legislature Party at its
meeting held at the party headquarters. The MLAs passed a resolution
to the effect that they would not accept or even consider anyone
other than Jayalalitha as the leader of the legislature party. The
resolution was moved by party presidium chairman K Kalimuthu and
adopted in the presence of Jayalalitha, who is not a member of the
12th House.
Later she went to Raj Bhavan and met Governor and handed over the
letter of the AIADMK legislature party electing her as the leader.
The Governor after quickly going through it accepted it and asked
Jayalalitha to submit the list of persons whom she would nominate
as ministers with their portfolios.
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