O Panneerselvam: Tamil Nadu's ever-resigning Chief Minister

What must it feel like to be O Panneerselvam, Tamil Nadu's apparently ever-resigning Chief Minister? He has done it three times in his long career, twice for Jayalalithaa and once now for VK Sasikala, Jayalalithaa's close confidante. 

Although the latest time, on February 5, 2017, was a bit of a surprise, in reality, he has always been a 'caretaker' CM, chosen specifically because he would occupy the chair as long as needed, and more importantly, vacate it with no objections as the situation developed. 

Panneerselvam began his political career back in 1969 in the DMK as a party activist. He belongs to the Thevar caste, an important fact in caste-ridden Tamil Nadu, as he is first from that caste to have quite such a successful and high profile career. Much like PM Modi, Paneerselvam too has a tea stall in his history - his family owned one and a dairy farm back in the 70s. 

He was among the many who left with MGR in 1973 when the legendary Tamil actor and politician started the AIADMK. In that sense, he is technically one of the founding members of the AIADMK and has always been a part that party's inner circle. His current avatar as 'Amma's man Friday' is the result of some quick jumping between factions. 

When MGR died in 1987, like many of the AIADMK, Panneerselvam supported MGR's wife - Janaki. Obviously, he came back to the winning side of that feud just in time and had remained loyal ever since.  

And Jayalalithaa has rewarded this loyalty as well. Ever since 2001, ten years after Jayalalithaa first became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Panneerselvam has held important portfolios in the Tamil Nadu cabinet, whenever the AIADMK came to power. 

It was also in 2001 that he first took up the 'caretaker CM' mantle. He was CM for six months from September 21, 2001, to 2 March 2002, when the Supreme Court barred her from holding public office thanks to the corruption cases filed against her. 

He resigned for the first time when her conviction was overturned in March. In one of those grand gestures of loyalty that he eventually became associated with, he refused to sit in her chair during those six months, leaving it empty and sitting beside it. 

His resignations were not limited to merely the CM's seat, strangely enough. In 2006 he was the leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislature. But after a fight with the Speaker, who immediately dismissed all AIADMK MLAs from the House, he vacated the post for Jayalalithaa, who became the leader of the opposition. 

On September 29, 2014, he was once again made temporary Chief Minister when, once again, Jayalalithaa was convicted for having disproportionate assets. That stint lasted some eight months, when he resigned again on 22 May 2015 after Jayalalithaa's conviction was, once again, overturned by the courts. The drama was also heightened this second time. Not only was Amma's chair left empty but a photo of hers was placed there as well. And many copious tears were shed by Panneerselvam when he took his oath. 

The third time, but maybe not the last time, he took the oath was on 6 December 2016, when he was sworn in at 1 am, after Jayalalithaa's death. Resigning on 5 February 2017 - this was his shortest stint yet. 

Whether this much loyalty is good or bad is a matter up for debate. Supporters say it helps to have a steady and unambitious big name to tide the party over during temporary crisis', as this prevents the party was dividing along factional lines. Critics say the apparent lack of ambition and obedience to one (or now two) persons within the AIADMK, shows a weak character. 

However we look at Tamil Nadu's ever-resigning CM, with Sasikala also facing a few court cases of her own, who knows - perhaps his services might be needed once again after all. 

• Sasikala
• Tamil Nadu
• O Panneerselvam