TN govt allocates Jaya's portfolios to Panneerselvam until she takes charge
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday allocated Chief Minister J Jayalithaa’s portfolios to Finance Minister O Panneerselvam until she resumes charge. The decision was taken amidst rising calls for an interim CM as the leader continues to be in hospital for over two weeks now.
According to Raj Bhavan, Paneerselvam will also preside over cabinet meetings and that the arrangement had been made on the advice of Jayalalithaa herself. The ailing AIADMK supremo however continues to be the CM and her party has made it clear that there will be no interim CM.
"Under Clause (3) of Article 166 of the Constitution of India, the Governor of Tamil Nadu today allocated the subjects hitherto dealt by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to O Paneerselvam," a Raj Bhavan press release said.
"This arrangement has been made as per the advice of the Chief Minister and will continue until the Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa resumes her duties. Jayalalithaa will continue to be the Chief Minister" it said.
The Public Department, IAS, IPS, IFS, General Administration, District Revenue Officers, Police and Home portfolios are held by Jayalalithaa. She has been in hospital since September 22.
On Saturday, DMK treasurer MK Stalin again visited Jayalalithaa in hospital, and called for an interim CM to be installed until Jayalalithaa made a full recovery.
"Till her return let there be a deputy or an interim chief minister to resolve key issues like the Cauvery dispute. Someone next in the hierarchy can take charge. That's our stand,” Stalin said.
The latest health bulletin by Apollo hospital stated that Jayalalithaa is ‘being constantly monitored by intensivists & the other consultants in the expert panel’. ‘Necessary respiratory support, antibiotics, nutrition, supportive therapy & passive physiotherapy are being given,’ it added.
Apart from local specialists, a three-member medical team from Delhi's AIIMS and a British doctor Dr Richard John Beale had examined her.
