AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa is all set to return as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, following her big victory in the Andipatti byelection today and later her unanimous election as leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party in the state Assembly.

The stopgap Chief Minister, Mr O. Paneerselvam, met the Governor, Mr Rammohan Rao, this evening and handed over his resignation. Ms Jayalalithaa is expected to assume her office on Monday or Wednesday.

For Ms Jayalalithaa, it was celebration day twice over her victory in the byelection in which she defeated her nearest rival, DMK candidate Vaigai Sekar, by more than 41,000 votes, and her 54th birthday. A beaming Ms Jayalalithaa told reporters that the Andipatti win “is the best birthday gift I have received in my life so far.”

Joining the birthday and election victory celebrations outside Ms Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence were party activists and admirers who burst crackers, distributed sweets and prostrated at the feet of their leader.

Ms Jayalalithaa pledged that she would make Andipatti No.1 constituency in Tamil Nadu and Tamil Nadu No. 1 state in India. Saying that her victory had created “a new political history”, she added:”I do not think that any political leader either in India or abroad, who has been subjected to this kind of victimisation, had to face such trials and tribulations, hardships and obstacles of this kind.”

Ms Jayalalithaa said five years ago, everyone had writtern her and party off, and “we have proved all the critics wrong. This victory will serve as a lesson in courage and endurance to everyone who may be subjected to hardships and difficulties.”

The DMK leader, Mr M. Karunanidhi, who all through the Andipatti byelection campaign, had blamed the Election Commission for ignoring alleged electoral malpractices in the constituency, repeated his charge today and announced that he would file a petition in a court against the commission.

Ms Jayalalithaa polled 78,422 votes as against 37,122 for Mr Sekar. In the also-ran category were two other party candidates, Mr Jayachandran of MDMK and Dr Krishnaswamy, leader of Puthia Tamizhagam, polling 8,426 and 5,175 votes respectively.

The numeral 9 again proved lucky or AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, who is to become Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu once more.

Today is her 54th birthday and the numerals 5 and 4 add up to 9.

She was elected leader of the AIADMK legislature party after she won from the Andipatti Assembly seat today.

Ms Jayalalithaa has faith in astrology and numerology and consults astrologers before taking important political decisions. UNI

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam today submitted the resignation of his Council of Ministers to pave the way for newly elected AIADMK Legislature Party leader and party General Secretary J. Jayalalithaa to assume office as Chief Minister following her victory in the Andipatti byelection.

A Raj Bhavan communique said later that Governor P.S. Ramamohan Rao accepted the resignation of the Council of Ministers with effect from this afternoon and asked Mr Paneerselvam and his team to continue in office till alternative arrangements were made. Ms Jayalalithaa was elected Legislature Party leader earlier this afternoon. UNI