CHENNAI -- Senior All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader O Panneerselvam on Tuesday sworn in as the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after Jayalalithaa died of a "massive" cardiac arrest at 11:30 p.m. on Monday.
He was given oath of office by Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao soon after the news of her demise broke at 12:13 a.m. on Tuesday at the Raj Bhavan.
Panneerselvam broke down during the oath taking ceremony.
Earlier, according to reports several AIADMK MLAs were called to the Apollo Hospitals one by one, where they were asked to sign a declaration, making Panneerselvam successor to Jayalalithaa.
Panneerselvam is considered to be one of the most reliable men of Jayalalithaa and had served as the chief minister when she stepped down for the trial in the disproportionate assets case.
Panneerselvam resigned as the chief minister on 22 May, 2015 paving way for Jayalalithaa to again sworn in as chief minister after the Karnataka High Court acquitted her in the case on 11 May, 2015.
Jayalalithaa's body will be kept at Rajaji Hall for people to pay last respects.
The Tamil Nadu government has declared a three-day holiday for schools and colleges.
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