TN Governor allocates portfolios held by Jayalalithaa to Paneerselvam

With Jayalalithaa continuing to remain in hospital since September 22, 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 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", 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.

on Tuesday, 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.

Meanwhile, Opposition DMK welcomed Governor Rao allocating portfolios to Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, saying the move would augur well for the state's administration.

"As the Opposition Leader, I welcome this action taken by the Governor in the interest of the administrative welfare of the state," DMK Treasurer M K Stalin said.

He pointed out that the decision had been taken as per the advice of the Chief Minister herself and said Tamil Nadu was "surrounded' by inter-state water rows like Cauvery and Mullaperiyar.

While the Cauvery issue, involving Karnataka, was coming up before the Supreme Court on October 17, the North East Monsoon was due to set in soon and at such a time there has to be "a responsible cabinet to discuss such administrative issues", he said in a statement.

"Such a cabinet needs a head. Only then can decision on issues pertaining to the state's welfare can be taken," Stalin added.

He recalled that DMK had earlier demanded that the government name an interim or Deputy Chief Minister to effectively handle issues like the Cauvery dispute, till the time Jayalalithaa returned and resumed work.