Ailing CM Jayalalithaa's portfolios allocated to O. Pannerselvam

Stating that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is recovering fast, senior AIADMK leader Ponnaiyan and party member C.R. Saraswathi on Wednesday said that Finance Minister, O. Pannerselvam has been allocated the portfolios of the former for the time being.

Ponnaiyan said the Chief Minister is recovering well at the Apollo hospital here where she is presently being treated for lung infection.

"Amma has been admitted in the Apollo hospital for lung infection, treatment is given in an excellent way. Amma is improving day by day, progressively, satisfactorily according to the medical reports of the experts in India and the UK also," Ponnaiyan told ANI.

"According to the Constitution of India, no acting Chief Minister can be appointed and no in-charge Chief Minister can be appointed. What is now being arranged for our Chief Minister is being followed subject to the prevailing situation in the state," he added.

Saraswathi on her part said that Jayalalithaa is getting better and healthy, adding she would return home very soon.

"So, every day we do pujas here. Not only here, the people across the country are praying for Amma," she added.

Saraswathi further said Pannerselvam has taken the portfolios of the Chief Minister because the doctors have said that she should take rest for some more time.

"Everybody knows he has been the Chief Minister for some time. He is a very good worker, very humble and simple man. So, he has taken over the portfolios till Amma comes back and takes it," she added.

Jayalalithaa has been hospitalised in Apollo hospital, Chennai, since September 22. Since then, reports released by the hospital have said that she has been on respiratory support but recovering.

On Tuesday, Tami Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao allocated Jayalalithaa's portfolios to Pannerselvam, who will also preside over the Cabinet meetings.

This arrangement has been made on the Chief Minister's advice and will continue until she resumes her duties.