Jayalalithaa loyalist and Tamil Nadu Finance Minister O Panneerselvam was on Sunday chosen to be the next chief minister after the AIADMK supremo was convicted and sent to jail for four years in a corruption case.
Panneerselvam (63), who was chosen by J Jayalalithaa to fill her shoes in a similar situation in 2001, was unanimously elected as leader of AIADMK Legislature Party here, a day after her conviction and sentencing in the Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case.
Described as "Mr Faithful", Panneerselvam belongs to the dominant Mudukulathor community and is a trusted lieutenant of Jayalalithaa. The ruling party MLAs will meet Governor K Rosaiah to communicate him the decision, party sources said here.
The soft spoken and suave leader literally functioned as "interm-chief minister" for about six months and duly vacated the post after Jayalalithaa was acquitted in the case.
Political analysts say that given the style of politics practiced by the Dravidian parties, Jaya will continue to wield power even as Panneerselvam remains a proxy till she gets legal relief. She is expected to appeal for bail on Monday, say sources.
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