O Panneerselvam - a man of humble beginnings rewarded for loyalty

Chennai: Once a tea stall owner, Jayalalithaa's trusted lieutenant O Panneerselvam is set to become Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the second time since 2001, when he made his Assembly debut. The 63-year-old leader from Thevar community held two key portfolios of Finance and Public Works in the Jayalalithaa Ministry.

J Jayalalithaa had taken everyone by surprise by handpicking him to fill her shoes in 2001 when she had to step down due to her conviction in TANSI land scam. The staunch Jayalalithaa loyalist chose not to function from the chair on which his 'revered' leader sat while he performed the role of the nightwatchman.

He duly vacated the post after Jayalalithaa was acquitted in the case. But this time his selection was expected by many after she was sent to jail in a graft case as the stature of the leader, known for his unflinching devotion to Jayalalithaa, has grown in the party over the years.

It was in September 2001 that he was sworn-in as Chief Minister for the first time and it is in the same month in 2014, when the lady luck has smiled again on him. But he has a more challenging task at hand this time as the much-adored "Amma" Jayalalithaa stands disqualified as an MLA following her conviction and four-year imprisonment in the Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate wealth case by a Bangalore court on Saturday and faces and uncertain political future while the party has to prepare for assembly elections in 18 months.

Incidentally, Panneerselvam is the first man from the Thevar community to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Representing Bodinayakanur Assembly constituency in Theni District in the current assembly, Pannerselvam has risen from humble origins. His family still owns a tea stall he once ran.

He was also an agriculturist and began his political career when he was elected to Periyakulam Municipality. He went on to become its Chairman during 1996-2001. A graduate, he was elected to the state assembly in the 2001 elections and straight away was made the Revenue Minister by Jayalalithaa.

Panneerselvam has also served as the leader of the AIADMK legislative party and the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly for about two weeks, after the party lost the assembly elections in May 2006.