May 23 was a day to remember for the AIADMK as its general secretary Jayalalithaa was sworn in as Chief Minister for a successive term. Scores of party cadre who had come from all over the State started lining both sides of the arterial Kamaraj Salai which leads to the venue – the Madras University Centenary auditorium — from as early as 8 a.m. Drummers positioned at various points kept a steady beat as the crowds cheered when Ms. Jayalalithaa’s convoy passed by.
The lucky ones among the partymen got passes and gained entry into the venue and were seated on the balcony. As she entered the hall on the dot at noon, supporters cheered bringing a smile to Ms. Jayalalithaa’s face.
Among the celebrities from the tinsel world, Sarath Kumar, Prabhu, Senthil, Harthi, Thyagu, Vaiyapuri and ‘Gundu’ Kalyanam; directors P. Vasu, Manobala and R.B. Udhayakumar, playback singers P. Susheela and Vani Jayaram were present.
Industrialist Mallika Srinivasan, Apollo Hospitals Executive Vice Chairperson Preetha Reddy and Prince of Arcot Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali graced the occasion.
Among politicians, DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin was seated in the rows behind, and D. Pandian of the CPI in the front row. Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Pon. Radhakrishnan were also sighted at the event. In addition, several IAS, IPS officers and judges attended the swearing-in ceremony. In all the districts, the State government had arranged for a live telecast of the ceremony.
M.S. Swaminathan's letter
In a letter to Ms. Jayalalithaa, agriculture scientist M. S. Swaminathan, who congratulated her, recalled the “tremendous advances in every field of development and more particularly in the areas of education, agriculture and women and child welfare” in her earlier periods of leadership.
Ms. Jayalalithaa’s associate Sasikala was also present.
In all the districts, the government had arranged for a live telecast of the ceremony
