The ceremony marked her return to the Chief Minister’s chair, about a fortnight after the Karnataka High Court acquitted her and three others of corruption charges in the disproportionate assets case.All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Jayalalithaa was on Saturday sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the fifth time.In a well attended ceremony at the Centenary Auditorium of the University of Madras, she and her Cabinet colleagues took oath in the presence of Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah.Amid speculation over top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders attending the event, Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon. Radhakrishnan was seen sitting in the front row. Actor Rajinikanth was also spotted among a host of celebrities seen at the venue.The ceremony marked her return to the Chief Minister’s chair, about a fortnight after the Karnataka High Court acquitted her and three others of corruption charges in the disproportionate assets case.Kamarajar Salai, along Marina beach, wore a festive look with Ms. Jayalalithaa’s supporters dotting road margins along the entire stretch, which was closed for public vehicles.The modified traffic arrangements clogged nearby areas Saturday morning, causing traffic bottlenecks in stretches along the parallel Anna Salai.On Friday, the AIADMK chief made her first public appearance in 217 days, and was greeted by scores of supporters.
Ms. Jayalalithaa will take the oath as Chief Minister — for the fifth time — at a ceremony to be held at the Centenary Hall of the University of Madras at 11 a.m on Saturday. Her return to office comes less than a fortnight after the Karnataka High Court acquitted her and three others of corruption charges in a disproportionate assets case.
Here are the live updates:
11:18 a.m.: Second batch of Ministers take oath.
11:14 a.m.: First batch of Ministers of Jayalalithaa Cabinet take oath together, perhaps for the first time in the State’s history.
11: 13 a.m.: Jayalalithaa’s Council of Ministers take oath.
11.07 a.m: Jayalalithaa takes oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
11.05 a.m.: A short version of the national anthem is playes followed by the ‘Tamil Thaai Vazhthu.’
11 a.m: Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah arrives for the swearing-in ceremony.
10: 59 a.m: Ms. Jayalalithaa arrives at Madras University.
10: 36 a.m: Actor Rajinikanth arrives for Poes Garden neighbour Jayalalithaa’s swearing in ceremony.
10: 32 a.m: Amma Canteen to provide free food today
10: 20 a.m: As Ms. Jayalalithaa is set to be sworn-in, traffic restrictions are in place in the city. Beach Road is closed. No 21G buses have been plying from Broadway. All are fixed with AIADMK flags and taken away for swearing ceremony, our reporter Vivek Narayanan says.
10: 13 a.m: Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan arrives for the swearing-in ceremony
10 a.m: AIADMK cadre hooked watch the proceedings from a live telecast of Jaya TV on giant screens. Photo: K. Manikandan
9: 50 a.m: Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Thambidurai arrives for the swearing-in ceremony.
9: 25 a.m: The 3200-person capacity hall at the Madras University all set to be filled to the brim. MLAs, MPs take seats.
8: 45 a.m: Traffic jams are likely this morning – many road diversions near Wallajah Rd, Chepauk for Jayalalithaa swearing-in.
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