In Chennai, Mr Edappadi K Palaniswamy has been sworn in as the new chief minister of Tamil Nadu today. In a simple ceremony held at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, Governor Vidyasagar Rao administered him oath of office and secrecy in the evening.

Along with Mr Palaniswamy, 30 other ministers also took oath, with the total strength of the cabinet at 31. Mr Palaniswamy will seek vote of confidence on the floor of the state Assembly on Saturday, though he has been given 15 days to prove his majority.

Mr Sengottaiyan, is the only new inductee in the Government, who replaces Mr Pandiarajan, who switched over to O.Panneerselvam camp.

Sengottaiyan is a party veteran who was side-lined for long and recently brought to the AIADMK headquarters by Ms VK Sasikala as presidium chairman. All others in the council of ministers are old faces.

The political uncertainty prevailing over Tamil Nadu has seemingly come to an end with the swearing in of Mr Palaniswamy of the AIADMK as the chief minister. He is the four-time MLA from his native constituency of Edappadi in Salem district and remained a close confidante of late Jayalalithaa and later to Ms VK Sasikala.

Immediately after his swearing in, he paid homage at Jayalalithaa’s tomb on Marina Beach in the city. He has exuded confidence, he would win the trust vote in due time. Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly MK Stalin has said the new chief minister should function independently without getting remote controlled from any quarters.