NEW DELHI -- AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa was sworn-in as chief minister of Tamil Nadu for the fifth time on Saturday morning in Chennai.
Jayalalithaa, 67, along with 28 ministers of her cabinet, were administered the oath of office by Governor K. Rosaiah at the Madras University Centenary Building.
In 2014, Jayalalithaa's fourth term was cut short after a Bangalore court sentenced her to four years in jail on corruption charges. She returns to power after the Karnataka High Court acquitted her in the 19-year-old disproportionate assets case on May 11.
Despite a persisting cloud of suspicion over whether she acquired disproportionate assets, Jayalalithaa's supporters have left no doubt of their staunch support for the veteran politician. Her acquittal was marked by joyous celebrations, earlier this month, and today thousands of well-wishers lined the streets to get a glimpse of their leader, dressed in a green sari, as her cavalcade moved to Madras University.
Jayalalithaa was also wearing an emerald green ring, and TV reports showed women in Chennai showing their solidarity with the chief minister by wearing saris of the same colour.
More than 3,500 special invitees attended the ceremony, TOI reported, including superstar Rajinikanth as well as BJP leaders Pon Radhakrishnan and L. Ganesan.
The Karnataka government is yet to decide whether it will appeal against Jayalalithaa's acquittal in the Supreme Court.
"We have not yet taken any decision; ...law department is examining, they are studying the judgement, we will take a decision after getting inputs from them," Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday.
"We will consider the opinion of Special Public Prosecutor B V Acharya and also the opinion from Law department and the Advocate General and then take a decision," he said.
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