Coming in the backdrop of the controversy surrounding the seating arrangement for DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin at the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, there was high anticipation on what would transpire in the Assembly when bitter political rivals Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and DMK president M. Karunanidhi come in to take oath as MLA on Wednesday.
Ms. Jayalalithaa entered the House a few minutes before the official start of proceedings at 11 a.m. The protem Speaker S. Semmalai read out a statement, praising the AIADMK supremo for the election victory and said it was the first time since 1984 that a leader had won two consecutive elections. He even quoted Henry Ford and hoped all Members would work together to achieve the goal of the Chief Minister to take the State forward in the growth trajectory.
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success,” said Mr. Semmalai, quoting the American industrialist.
As per rule, the Chief Minister, who won from Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar, took the oath first. She was followed by Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam. After the Ministers took oath, it was the turn of DMK leader M.K. Stalin, who is set to become the Leader of the Opposition. He was greeted with thumping of the desks by DMK Members. Even as he was taking the oath, Mr. Karunanidhi entered the House at 11.32 a.m. All the Opposition MLAs stood up to welcome the former Chief Minister, whose wheelchair halted right next to Mr. Stalin’s seat.
A minute later, at exactly 11.33 a.m, Ms. Jayalalithaa chose to leave the House. Mr. Karunanidhi, using the microphone on Mr. Stalin’s table, then took oath at 11.37 a.m and exited right after. Both Mr. Karunanidhi and Mr. Stalin, being proclaimed atheists, chose to swear by their conscience.
Earlier, the Members observed a minute of silence as a mark of respect to S.N. Seenivel, the AIADMK MLA from Tirupparankundram, who died on Wednesday morning.
Rajendran is Chief Whip
Meanwhile, in a statement, Assembly Secretary A.M.P. Jamaludeen, said Finance Minister Panneerselvam and Ariyalur MLA S. Rajendran have been named the Leader of the House and the Government Chief Whip respectively with effect from Wednesday.
