CHENNAI: O Panneerselvam, a synonym for humility in Tamil Nadu politics for around a couple of decades, stepped down gracefully as the Chief Minister for the third time on Sunday.
When he arrived at the AIADMK headquarters at 2.10 pm to take part in the meeting of the legislature party, Panneerselvam was his usual self. With a smile on his face and with folded hands, he entered the party office.
Earlier in the day, he took his last official assignment – a visit to Ernavur to inspect the removal of spilled oil in the sea and when he met the mediapersons, he did not show any sign of stepping down and everyone was under the impression that he would continue in the office.
Just after the election of Sasikala too, Panneerselvam, while leaving the party office, did not show any feelings. He just walked out with a smile. A few days ago, when a DMK MLA showed humility in the House, Panneerselvam, in a jovial mood, said, “You have won over me in being humble because I am the one who is the most humble.”
Panneerselvam was the Chief Minister of the State for three terms and significantly, he never used the chamber of Chief Minister at the Secretariat out of reverence for Jayalalithaa and chose to function from his chamber as the Finance Minister. Panneerselvam was sworn in as the Chief Minister for the first time in 2001 for six months between September 21, 2001 and March 1, 2002. Taking back the chief ministerial position after her conviction was overturned by the SC, Jayalalithaa profusely hailed Panneerselvam for safely handing over the power to her again.
He became the Chief Minister for eight months when Jayalalithaa was convicted in the disproportionate assets case in 2014. He held the office from September 29, 2014 to May 22, 2015. After the Karnataka High Court acquitted her of the charges, Panneerselvam stepped down giving way for Jayalalithaa. The third time he became the Chief Minister was when Jayalalithaa died.