As Jayalalithaa continues to remain in the hospital since 22 September, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar 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.
"Under Clause (3) of Article 166 of the Constitution of India, the Governor of Tamil Nadu today allocated the subjects hitherto dealt by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to O Paneerselvam," a Raj Bhavan press release said.
Paneerselvam, who holds the Administrative reforms portfolio, in addition to Finance, will also preside over cabinet meetings. 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.Raj Bhavan
"Jayalalithaa will continue to be the Chief Minister," the release added.
Karunanidhi Questions Governor About Portfolio Reallocation
DMK President M Karunanidhi said that it is a wonder that Tamil Nadu Governor allocated portfolios to Panneerselvam based on her advice.
A question has arisen among some people if Jayalalithaa signed the file and rendered advice allotting her portfolios to Finance Minister Panneerselvam.M Karunanidhi
S Ramadoss of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) said, "Until the Governor explains, the decision will be suspect," and added that "the Governor should not let unrelated people control government machinery."
Both leaders had earlier questioned the lack of information about Jayalalithaa's health and had demanded a photograph of the chief minister to put rumours that she is gravely ill at rest.
Top BJP leaders Amit Shah and Arun Jaitley visited Apollo Hospital and met J Jayalalithaa. They spent some time in the hospital but didn’t address the media after that. They tweeted about their visit.
Jayalalithaa (68), was admitted to Apollo hospital on 22 September after she complained of fever and dehydration.
On Monday, the hospital said she continued to be under treatment and was being constantly monitored by intensivists and other consultants in the expert panel, while respiratory support, antibiotics, nutrition, supportive therapy and passive physiotherapy were being given to her.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)