Jayalalitha sworn in CM

By Suresh Nambath

CHENNAI, MAY 14. In what she described as a ``smooth transition'', the AIADMK general secretary, Ms. Jayalalitha, was today sworn in Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu ending all controversy over her eligibility to hold public office following the electoral disqualification.

Immediately after Ms. Jayalalitha handed over a letter conveying her election as leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party, the Governor, Ms. Fathima Beevi, invited her to form the Government. Within a few hours, Ms. Jayalalitha was back at the Raj Bhavan, and took oath as Chief Minister in the name of God.

After the fierce debate over whether a convicted person disqualified from electoral contest could be sworn in, the obstacle-free course to chief ministership came as a surprise to everyone, including Ms. Jayalalitha. ``Everything has happened in a rush. I myself did not expect that I would be sworn in today itself. Everything has taken place very smoothly. I am very happy. This is a victory for the people of Tamil Nadu.''

Asked whether she was hopeful of getting elected to the legislature within the stipulated six month period, Ms. Jayalalitha said she had so far overcome all hurdles placed in her path by ``political opponents, adversaries and enemies''. Now, with the support and love of the people, she would be carried through to success.

As if to remove any doubts about her ability to get over the electoral disqualification, Ms. Jayalalitha recalled that everyone had written her off when she lost the election in 1996, but now, she was back as Chief Minister. ``In 1996, when we faced a massive electoral defeat, did any of you believe a day would come like this five years later, when I would be sitting here in the Chief Minister's chamber and meeting you all? Everyone wrote me off, everyone wrote the AIADMK off. But, I have proved all my critics wrong.''

In the morning, Ms. Jayalalitha seemed like a woman in a hurry as she presided over a meeting of the newly elected AIADMK members. After the elected candidates resolved that they would ``not accept or consider'' anyone else as their leader, Ms. Jayalalitha drove straight to Raj Bhavan.

Once the Governor greeted her on the ``resounding victory'' and asked her to form the ministry ``at the earliest'', Ms. Jayalalitha forced the pace of developments. The swearing-in was fixed for the same evening setting off a flurry at Raj Bhavan and catching the Public Department, which was to make the arrangements, completely off-guard.

After the swearing-in, Ms. Jayalalitha went to the Secretariat and signed her first file appointing a Secretary and two Deputy Secretaries to the Chief Minister.

At a press conference later, Ms. Jayalalitha promised to provide a benevolent government and an efficient administration. She also ruled out ``taking revenge'' against opponents who had harassed her in the last five years. But action would be taken against those guilty of wrong-doings, she added.

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