Jaya begins fifth innings as CM

Chennai, May 23

AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa today returned as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the fifth time, eight months after she was forced to quit over corruption charges. Karnataka, however, asserted its law department was examining the High Court judgment, which acquitted her of all charges, before deciding on filing an appeal in the Supreme Court.

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. The 67-year-old leader was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor K Rosaiah at a glittering ceremony. Twenty eight ministers were also sworn in. Her return to power comes as a shot in the arm for the AIADMK ahead of Assembly elections next year.

The ceremony was witnessed by a galaxy of dignitaries, including actor Rajinikanth, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai. Jayalalithaa retained almost the entire previous cabinet.

Former Forest Minister MSM Anandan and ailing P Chenthur Pandian, who was a minister without portfolio, were omitted while former minister Agri Krishnamurthy, arrested in connection with the suicide of an official, was left out.

A short version of the national anthem was played at the start of Jayalalithaa's swearing-in ceremony. Only two lines of the national anthem - the first and last line - were played, followed by 'Tamizh Thai Vazhthu' (invocation to Mother Tamil). The full version of the anthem was played after all the ministers were sworn-in.