Jayalalithaa makes DMK's Stalin sit in 16th row at swearing-in ceremony
May 23, 2016  16:04
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In a move that could have brought down political acrimony between the two Dravidian majors, ruling AIADDMK and DMK, which is in the opposition, M K Stalin chose to attend the swearing-in of J Jayalalithaa and her cabinet today.

However, Stalin was made to sit in the 16th row and Jaya has just ensured a more combatant opposition in the assembly.

This is the second time Stalin, son of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, 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.     


Stalin, attired in white shirt and dhoti, was today spotted seated in the 16th row at the Madras University Centenary Auditorium, venue of the swearing-in function.     

Speaking to NDTV, Karunanidhi said, "Jayalalithaa has not changed, she will never change. Sarath Kumar (the actor) was in the front row though he lost the election. Stalin has 89 seats."


Former DMK Ministers E V Velu and Ponmudy besides their party MLAs Sekhar Babu, Vagai Chandrasekhar and Ku Ka Selvam were also seated near him. Yesterday, DMK supremo Karunanidhi had said his party would function as a constructive opposition in the 234-member assembly.

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. 
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