Jayalalithaa is Tamil Nadu Chief Minister again

The ceremony marked her return to the Chief Minister's chair, about a fortnight after the Karnataka High Court acquitted her and three others of corruption charges in the disproportionate assets case.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa being greeted by Governor K. Rosiah after the swearing-in ceremony in Chennai on Saturday. Photo : S.R. Raghunathan

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Jayalalithaa was on Saturday sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the fifth time.

In a well attended ceremony at the Centenary Auditorium of the University of Madras, she and her Cabinet colleagues took oath in the presence of Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah.

Amid speculation over top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders attending the event, Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon. Radhakrishnan was seen sitting in the front row. Actor Rajinikanth was also spotted among a host of celebrities seen at the venue.

The ceremony marked her return to the Chief Minister's chair, about a fortnight after the Karnataka High Court

>acquitted her and three others of corruption charges in the disproportionate assets case.

Kamarajar Salai, along Marina beach, wore a festive look with Ms. Jayalalithaa's supporters dotting road margins along the entire stretch, which was closed for public vehicles.

The modified traffic arrangements clogged nearby areas Saturday morning, causing traffic bottlenecks in stretches along the parallel Anna Salai.

On Friday, the AIADMK chief >made her first public appearance in 217 days, and was greeted by scores of supporters.