Sucking up needed to be Tamil Nadu CM

Two days after AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa’s conviction in a corruption case, people across India watched a grown man burst into tears as he was sworn in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Other ministers, were caught weeping by cameras as they took oath at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai.

The role of CM is not new for 63-year-old O Panneerselvam, a loyalist of Jayalalithaa, who was sentenced to four years in jail on Saturday. Thirteen years ago, Panneerselvam was chosen by Jayalalithaa to replace her as CM when she was forced to step down after being convicted in a land scam.

He kept the chair warm for six months till she was cleared by the courts and returned to active politics.

This could be the plot from some Indian movie. In fact, Panneerselvam – in a cinematic show of loyalty – even refused to occupy the designated chamber for the head of state at the Tamil Nadu secretariat.

In the past, he has been photographed prostrating before Jayalalithaa at public events. What all this means is that Panneerselvam is the CM of a key state, but it is Jayalalithaa who will be the power behind the throne.

Not that this is the first time something like this has happened in India. When RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was accused of graft in the fodder scam, there was the bizarre spectacle of his wife Rabri Devi being made the CM. It is another matter that the housewife served three terms.

The charges for which Jayalalithaa was convicted are serious – amassing illegal wealth that included property worth crores of rupees, 28 kg of gold, 750 pairs of shoes and 10,000 saris – and it is notable the court did not buy her argument the charges were politically motivated.

This is just the sort of corruption the NDA government has promised to root out. Jayalalithaa has appealed against her conviction and may bounce back.

But till then, we can be sure Panneerselvam will ensure her chamber in the Tamil Nadu Secretariat will be ready and waiting for her.