Rumours of CM stepping down

By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau

CHENNAI, SEPT. 5 The cancellation of a Cabinet meeting scheduled for this afternoon sparked wild rumours that the Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa, was planning to step down.

Legal and political circles were agog with speculation that her legal advisers had suggested that she step down before any judgment was delivered by the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court now hearing the public interest litigation petitions challenging her appointment as Chief Minister by the then Governor, Ms. Fathima Beevi.

Ms. Jayalalithaa did not attend the Assembly session today. The Teachers' Day awards function, in which the Education Minister, Mr. M. Thambidurai, participated, was advanced from 4 p.m. to 2 p.m., fuelling more speculation.

The AIADMK circles were apprehensive and confused about the developments and did not want to react. Some said she was `indisposed'.

When contacted in New Delhi, Mr. Jothi, defence counsel for Ms. Jayalalithaa, denied that such an advice was given to her. ``There is nothing in the proceedings to give us the impression. Further, the Chief Minister is a fighter and will continue in power for full term'', he said.

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Section  : Southern States
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