Surprise choice for AIADMK Presidium Chairman's post

Chennai, Feb 5 (UNI) Former AIADMK Minister and All World MGR Fan's Association Secretary E Madhusoodhanan was today unanimously elected Party Presidum Chairman.

Party General Secretary J Jayalalithaa proposed the name of Mr Madhusoodhanan, who served in her Cabinet during 1991-96, at the meeting here of the party's General Council, its highest policy and decision-making body.

The AIADMK Executive Committee finalised Mr Madhusoodhanan's name, after which Ms Jayalalithaa proposed his name at the General Council. Her proposal was seconded by former Minister K A Sengottaiyan and the meeting unanimously adopted a resolution to this effect.

Mr Madhusoodhanan, a MGR loyalist, was a surprise choice as the names of former Minister O Panneerselvam, veteran leader from Tuticorin, K R C Manimozhiyan, Ms Sulochana Sampath and Ms Vislakshi Nedunchezhiyan were doing the rounds for the coveted post.

Mr Madhusoodhanan, who was Handlooms Minister in the Jayalalithaa Cabinet during 1991-96, was convicted in the free saree dhoti distribution scheme case and sentenced to three years imprisonment on a case filed by the subsequent DMK government.

During the 1996 polls which the AIADMK lost and in 2001 when it made a comeback Mr Madhusoodhanan was denied party tickets.

Ever since Ms Jayalalithaa removed him from the post of party Propoganda Secretary post in 2000, Mr Madhusoodhanan was lying low.

His appointment now had given him a virtual rebirth in the party.

Though a section of partymen were reportedly sore over the selection, old-timers, especially MGR followers, were happy that an MGR loyalist had been rewarded.

Proposing his name, Ms Jayalalithaa, addressing the General Council said Mr Madhusoodanan had accepted MGR as his only leader and after his death, accepted her as the only leader.

Mr Madhusoodhanan gifted her a shawl and profusely thanked the party supremo for having chosen him for the top post in the party.

He said he owed his political career to Ms Jayalalithaa.

Earlier, Ms Jayalalithaa was given a rousing reception when she arrived at Vanaragaram, the meeting venue on the city outskirts. On her arrival, she chaired the executive committee meeting, which lasted for about five minutes, before chairing the General Council.

UNI