Wednesday, August 23, 2017

OPS begins new innings as deputy CM

Julie Mariappan| TNN | Updated: Aug 23, 2017, 12:19 AM IST

CHENNAI: In a significant development, the Edappadi K Palaniswami camp reallocated additional portfolios to O Panneerselvam. The deputy chief minister will also hold planning, legislative assembly, elections and passport, reallocated by governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Tuesday, besides his finance, housing and urban development.



Panneerselvam's convoy rolled onto Greenways Road at 11am, apparently after his supporter and MP V Maitreyan met governor C Vidyasagar Rao. Even as he was moving on Kamarajar Salai in his favourite official car with a fancy number, TN 06 Z 2345, Raj Bhavan put out a press release, announcing the reallocation of portfolios hitherto held by D Jayakumar. The deputy CM took the stairs from Gate 3 and went in to an office that was originally occupied by him, when he was chief minister briefly after the demise of Jayalalithaa. After he lost his job in February, the chamber was occupied by school education minister K A Sengottaiyan.


While TTV camp MLAs went to Raj Bhavan to meet the governor and hand over their letters against Palaniswami, Panneerselvam began his first day as deputy CM, receiving shawls and bouquets from scores of supporters. The deputy CM, the post created for the first time in AIADMK, gleefully received greetings. The supporters were hopeful of Modi government's support to EPS-OPS faction as per the assurance extended by the Centre. "We are not bothered about TTV's posturing," said a functionary from Pudukottai. Former minister Vaigai Chelvan, who did not take sides with any camps until recently, made a surprise visit to OPS and extended his wishes.



From bureaucrats to ministers, it was a continuous stream of visitors that included finance secretary K Shanmugam and minister R Kamaraj, a well-known supporter of Sasikala clan. "I told him to set right things first," said an officer, pointing to the challenges confronting the government after the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. But a section of bureaucrats elsewhere raised concerns about new power centres emerging. The staff in OPS chamber gradually settled down by afternoon, with new computers and stationeries.

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