Chennai, March 2
It was a comeback in style for Ms J. Jayalalitha, who was sworn-in today as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, along with 26 other Cabinet Ministers.

The Governor, Mr P.S. Ramamohan Rao, administered the oath of office and secrecy at an impressive ceremony at the Madras University Centenary Hall, watched by over 3000 invitees that included leading political personalities and a galaxy of Tamil movie stars.

The leader of the DMK party in the State Assembly, Mr K. Anbazhagan, and Mr M.K. Stalin, Mayor of Chennai, and son of Mr M. Karunanidhi, were conspicuous by their presence.

For the AIADMK chief, it was a moment to cherish. The Andipatti byelection victory enabled her to return to power in triumph after a break of five months during which she had handed the mantle of chief ministership to her loyal deputy, Mr O. Panneerselvam.

Ms Jayalalitha took the earliest opportunity to express her gratitude to the voters in Andipatti and to the people of Tamil Nadu for their unstinted support. “They stood by me through thick and thin, and their support enabled me to successfully tide over all difficulties, trials and tribulations I had to face”, she told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony.

Ms Jayalalitha and her Cabinet colleagues took the oath of office and secrecy in Tamil and in the name of God.

She was enthusiastically cheered by the audience as she took the oath.