Jayaram Jayalalitha is all set to return as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after the state governor K Rosaiah invited her to form a new ministry. She was convicted in a corruption scandal in 2014 and also was in jail for more than three weeks. became the first Indian Chief Minister to lose the post due to the conviction. The incumbent Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has tendered his resignation.

In the party meeting attended by all MLAs, Jayalalitha was unanimously elected as AIADMK Legislature Party Leader. The resolution was proposed by Paneerselvam and seconded by Natham R Viswanathan.

Jayalalitha was convicted and sentenced for four years by Karnataka trial court in the Rs 66.66 crore disproportionate assets case. The Karnataka High Court had subsequently released her of the charges on May 11.

Tidbits

• Jayalalitha was the leading actress in Tamilnadu in the 60s and she had appeared in more than 100 films.
• She was chaired in Chief minister post of Tamil Nadu on four occasions – from 1991-96, briefly in 2011, 2002-06 and 2011-14.
• She is popularly referred to as Puratchi Thalaivi (Revolutionary Leader) or AMMA by her followers.

GK Questions

• Name the Karnataka High court Judge who gave Jayalalitha the sentence for four years? John Michael D’Cunha
• Name the Karnataka High Court Judge who acquitted Jayalaitha from all charges? Kumaraswamy