Jayalalithaa's swearing-in ceremony: Stalin made to sit in tenth row, Karunanidhi fumes

Jayalalithaa defied 32-year history to return to power for a second consecutive term in Tamil Nadu.

Chennai:  DMK Treasurer MK Stalin on Monday attended the swearing-in of AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. However, the move attracted criticism from M Karunanidhi who was irked at his son being seated in the 16th row at the Madras University Centenary Auditorium.

The DMK president today alleged that his party was 'insulted' at the swearing-in ceremony. He said that Stalin was made to sit 'among the crowd' even as a losing candidate and AIADMK ally, R Sarath Kumar, was allotted seat in the front row.

 "Stalin, who has the qualification to sit in the Main Opposition (possibly as its Leader) after (DMK) won 89 seats, was given seat among the crowd whereas Sarath Kumar was seated in the front row," Karunanidhi said in a statement.

DMK was 'insulted' in a planned manner, Karunanidhi added, as per PTI.

 This is the second time Stalin, attired in white shirt and dhoti, attended Jayalalithaa's swearing-in after participating in her oath-taking ceremony in 2001.

As Chennai Mayor, he along with a few DMK leaders, had attended the function then.

Former DMK Ministers EV Velu and Ponmudy besides their party MLAs Sekhar Babu, Vagai Chandrasekhar and Ku Ka Selvam were also seated near him.

Meanwhile, Jayalalithaa, who defied a 32-year history to return to power for a second consecutive term, today took oath as CM for the sixth time.

The 68-year-old along with 28 others including her trusted lieutenant O Pannerselvam took the oath of office and secrecy in the name of God in Tamil that was administered by Governor K Rosaiah.

The AIADMK supremo retained 15 of her ministers who were in the previous cabinet and 13 new faces including three women.

While the DMK secured 89 seats, its allies Congress eight and IUML one, the AIADMK alone bagged 134 seats in the May 16 polls.

Elections to Thanjavur and Aravakurichi segments have been deferred. 

(With PTI inputs)