Paneerselvam gets JAYA'S PORTFOLIOS

Chennai: As Amma is convalescing, the pace of events panning out of Chennai points to an impending Constitutional breakdown forcing imposition of President's rule,if the demand of Rajya Sabha Member Dr Subramanian Swamy has its way. The hectic lobbying in the corridors of power as eerie silence punctuated by Opposition shrills in the Dravidian politics is sure enough an indication of 'what imminent factor' is rolling out of Chennai.

With Jayalalithaa continuing to remain in hospital since September 22, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao late 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.Paneerselvam, who holds the Administrative reforms portfolio, in addition to Finance, “will also preside over cabinet meetings”, it 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,” it said. “Jayalalithaa will continue to be the Chief Minister,” the release added.

Jayalalithaa (68), was admitted to Apollo hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. AIADMK today again asserted that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is healthy and "recovering well", putting an end to concerns and rumours. A day after Tamil Nadu Governor met Jayalalithaa at the Apollo Hospital in Chennai, AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswati assured the people that the Chief Minister was recovering and also running the government from the hospital itself. "Amma is recovering well," AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswati said today.

DMK president M Karunanidhi on Wednesday expressed his doubts over a Raj Bhavan statement, which said Governor C Vidyasagar Rao had allocated chief minister J Jayalalithaa's portfolios to finance minister O Panneerselvam "based on her advice."

The Raj Bhavan statement issued on Tuesday said the Governor, under Clause (3) of the Constitution's Article 166, had allocated the portfolios handled by Jayalalithaa+ to Panneerselvambased on her advice.

''Jayalalithaa has been in the hospital for the past 19 days and was advised a longer stay there. Several leaders, including the Governor, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu and others, were not allowed to see or wish Jayalalithaa in person when they visited the Apollo Hospitals where she is undergoing treatment. However, it is amazing that the statement issued by the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday said the reallocation of the portfolios had been done based on the advice of Jayalalithaa,'' said Karunanidhi in a statement.

The DMK chief said one could not entirely overlook the doubt as to whether the acting Governor had analysed the various provisions of the Constitution in a short span of time.

But things are moving fast in the political chess of the state. Governor Vidya Sagar Rao has already held a round of discussions with the chief secretary and other senior officials of the state and a round of meeting with senior ministers of the Jayalalithaa cabinet has sparked off speculations that the governor might effect an ‘alternate’ arrangement till such time Jayalalithaa recovers from her current medical problems or if the will of the Providence is otherwise. A veiled power struggle has already begun in her party, too, with her confidant and live-in partner Sasikala remote controlling the powers that be and groups opposed to her having secret parleys.