Tamil Nadu set for change of guard

At an early morning meeting of party MLAs on Friday, 67-year-old Jayalalithaa was unanimously elected as AIADMK Legislature Party Leader, a foreseeable event following the party supremo’s acquittal by the Karnataka High Court in the disproportionate assets case. Party Treasurer O Panneeerselvam forwarded the motion to elect her as legislature party leader which was seconded by Electricity Minister Natham R Vishwanathan, sources said, adding, it was adopted unanimously. Minutes later, Panneerselvam announced his resignation as chief minister. “I have resigned as Chief Minister,” he told party MLAs at the meeting. AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa was today invited to form government by Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah following the resignation of her trusted lieutenant O Panneerselvam as Chief Minister, paving the way for her return at the helm after nearly eight months.