Ottakara Panneerselvam is an Indian politician who has served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He is a member of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and was a trusted aide of Late J. Jayalalithaa. He had previously served as the Chief Minister in 2001-02 and 2014-15. His first 2 terms as Chief Minister came to be when he replaced Jayalalithaa in the role, after she was forced to resign by the courts. His 3rd and current term began following Chief Minister Jayalalithaa`s death.
Personal Life of O. Panneerselvam
O. Panneerselvam was born on 14 January, 1951 in Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu. He studied BA in Economics and discontinued from the course. He started his career as a tea stall owner. He also owned some agricultural land.
Political Career of O. Panneerselvam
O. Panneerselvam started his political career by becoming the Chairman of Periyakulam Municipality in 1996 and fulfilled his responsibilities till 2001. It was in 2001 that he contested as an AIADMK candidate from the Periyakulam Assembly constituency and won. He became the Revenue Minister in 2001.
It was during this time that Jayalalitha was barred by the Supreme Court from holding the Chief Minister"s office as she was convicted in the TANSI land scam. She chose O. Panneerselvam to hold the Chief Minister"s office.
Once Jayalalithaa"s conviction was overturned by the court, O. Panneerselvam made way for Jayalalithaa by resigning from the Chief Minister"s position. On 2006, he also served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly and was also selected as the leader of the AIADMK legislative party. He was again entrusted with the responsibility of being the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 2014 when Jayalalitha was convicted in the disproportionate assets case. In the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the AIADMK returned to power and Jayalalithaa became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the 6th time. O. Panneerselvam was appointed as the Finance Minister in her cabinet.
On 6th December 2016, Panneerselvam was elected as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu following the death of incumbent Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
