TN Finance Minister Panneerselvam takes over Jayalalithaa's portfolios

Chennai: With Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa hospitalised for about three weeks, Finance Minister O Panneerselvam took charge of the portfolios which were she previously held.

According to reports, the state government’s official website reflected the change, with Jayalalithaa’s portfolios listed under Panneerselvam’s name.

Jayalalithaa held the portfolios of Public, Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Forest Service, General Administration, District Revenue Officers, Police and Home.

Files sent to Jayalalithaa will now be sent to Panneerselvam, the report said.

Panneerselvam, who visited the state secretariat on Wednesday and Thursday, is taking over Jayalalithaa’s role for the third time, though he was the interim CM the first two times, when Jayalalithaa was imprisoned.

On Wednesday, it was announced that Panneerselvam would take over Jayalalithaa's portfolios until she recovers.

Meanwhile, the Centre is contemplating appointing a new Governor in Tamil Nadu soon.

"The process of appointment of a new Governor in Tamil Nadu is on," a source in the government said.

The post has been lying vacant for more than a month ever since K Rosaiah demitted office in August-end. Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao is currently holding the additional charge of Tamil Nadu Governor.

With Jayalalithaa continuing to remain in hospital since September 22, Governor Rao on Tuesday allocated the portfolios held by her to Finance Minister O Paneerselvam but said the AIADMK supremo will continue to be the Chief Minister.

DMK chief M Karunanidhi yesterday termed as "surprising" the Governor's remarks stating that the allocation of portfolios held by Jayalalithaa to Panneerselvam was done "as per her advice".