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How Panneerselvam became Jaya's trusted man in 2001

  • In 2001, Jayalalithaa's appointment was termed as unconstitutional and void by Supreme Court. 
  • Amma chose relatively new Panneerselvam to be the CM in her absence.
  • However, for all practical purposes, Amma was the Chief Minister during this period.
How Panneerselvam became Jayalalithaa trusted man in 2001

 

Now that Sasikala has been convicted in the Disproportionate Assets case by Supreme Court, O Panneerselvam is back on the centre stage of Tamil Nadu politics. 

 

Over the past few weeks, both Sasikala and Panneerselvam hijacked the national media over their battle for the most important position in Tamil Nadu and much has been said and written about them. 

 

However, how O Panneerselvam and Sasikala became the centre of the political scenario of the coastal state remains largely unknown. 

 

How Panneerselvam became Jayalalithaa trusted man in 2001Sasikala Natarajan, the trusted aide of Jayalalithaa, is said to be have been introduced to Amma by VS Chandralekha, an IAS officer turned politician, and rest is a matter of speculation. On the other hand, O Panneerselvam started his political career with the united DMK as a worker at the age of 18 in the year 1969. 

 

After MGR split from the DMK, Panneerselvam joined the new AIADMK in 1973. He is one of the first generation party workers of the current ruling party. Between 1996 and 2001, he was the Chairman of Periyakulam Municipality, and in 2001, he became a prominent face in AIADMK. 

 

2001 came as a huge setback for Jayalalithaa when her appointment as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was termed as unconstitutional and void after she was found guilty in the TANSI land deal case by a Special Court in Chennai and was sentenced to three years imprisonment. This brought a political twist to the state, as Amma had to select a successor to the throne during her temporary absence. 

 

Despite having many senior AIADMK leaders, Jayalalithaa appointed first time Tamil Nadu assembly member Panneerselvam to be the 13th Chief Minister of the state. 

 

It is commonly understood that the move was to make sure no second power centre would emerge. Panneerselvam was sufficiently weak for Jaya's comfort. 

 

Also READ: SC upholds Sasikala's four-year sentence, asks her to surrender immediately

 

He was the son of a farmer in the Thevar community and known for his humble nature and modesty. His rise to power was a blessing from Amma and being his humble self; he became a staunch loyalist of Jayalalithaa.

 

How Panneerselvam became Jayalalithaa trusted man in 2001O Panneerselvam’s tenure lasted for about six months. For all practical purposes, Amma was the Chief Minister during this period. 

 

As disclosed by acclaimed writer Vaasanthi in her book ‘Amma: Jayalalithaa’s Journey from Movie Star to Political Queen’, Panneerselvam reportedly moved to the compound of Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence and all the official files ‘went for her scrutiny before he signed’. 

 

After six months, the SC overturned the conviction and Jayalalithaa became the CM again, and Panneerselvam was appointed as Minister of  Public Works, Prohibition and Excise.

 

The rest, as they say, is history. 

 

O Panneerselvam loyalty to Jayalalithaa and AIADMK is commendable, and that is what makes him a worthy heir to the throne of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, as per the Tamil public and many AIADMK workers. 

 

The road to the CM's chair certainly seems clear now. 

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