I'm a stop-gap CM: Paneerselvam

By Radha Venkatesan

CHENNAI, SEPT. 22. Mr. O. Paneerselvam today began his first day in office, virtually describing himself as a stop-gap Chief Minister, and declaring that his Government was only ``honourable Amma's (Jayalalithaa) regime''.

At his maiden media interface after taking charge this morning, a visibly tense Mr. Paneerselvam said it was only a ``temporary arrangement'' and that the AIADMK general secretary, Ms. Jayalalithaa would overcome her trials and be back in the saddle.

His eyes moist, the new Chief Minister unfailingly demonstrated his loyalty to Ms. Jayalalithaa, insisting that ``with honourable Amma's guidance the policies and programmes of the Government outlined in the budget would be implemented effectively''.

Ms. Jayalalithaa, who was the ``guardian deity of lakhs and lakhs of AIADMK cadres'' would get elected to the Assembly in a democratic manner and take over the reins of power soon, he maintained.

In the trial faced by dharma, Ms. Jayalalithaa would emerge successful. Even during the Assembly election campaign, the question before the electorate was who should become Chief Minister - Ms. Jayalalithaa or the DMK leader, Mr. M. Karunanidhi. And, the people overwhelmingly wanted ``Idhaya deivam Puratchi Thalaivi Amma'' to don the mantle, the new Chief Minister said.

Asked whether he would take independent decisions, Mr. Paneerselvam stumped the scribes with a sharp reply. ``I realise the responsibilities of the office of Chief Minister. And, decisions will be taken in keeping with the responsibilities of the office.''

For Mr. Paneerselvam, the first day began with signing orders for providing computer training to 1,500 staff members of the Registration department.

Earlier, as the Chief Minister's car swerved into the Secretariat main portico, the Ministers were waiting with shawls to greet him. After posing for the waiting lensmen, he was led into the CMO by senior Ministers including Mr. C. Ponnaiyan and the Chief Secretary, Mr. P. Shankar.

The ornate chair specially brought for Ms. Jayalalithaa was removed and Mr. Paneerselvam signed his papers seated in a cushioned chair normally kept for visitors.

Before coming to the Secretariat to assume charge, he called on Ms. Jayalalithaa at her Poes Garden residence.

And after a nearly two-hour stay in office, he left for Ms. Jayalalithaa's residence again.

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Section  : Southern States
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