Monday, May 29 2006 14:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa was unanimously elected Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly here today (May 29, 2006).

AIADMK MLAs unanimously elected her to the post at a meeting, a party release said.

She replaces O Panneerselvam. Two days back she single-handedly took on the ruling DMK in the house.

Panneerselvam was elected deputy leader, K A Sengottiyan whip and D Jayakumar treasurer, it said adding C Karuppusamy and C V Shanmugam were elected secretaries.

Jayalalithaa dons the role of the opposition leader in the assembly after a gap of 17 years, party sources said.

Sending a signal to the ruling party that she will not remain a mute spectator, Jayalalithaa had on Saturday participated in a debate on motion of thanks to the Governor's address in the state assembly, a day after AIADMK members were suspended from the house.

Giving a boost to party MLAs and supporters, she had then blasted the DMK government for making 'false' poll promises.

After her party suffered defeat in the May 8 assembly polls, Jayalalithaa had said she would avoid attending the assembly fearing 'insults' from the ruling party.

However, the former chief minister had added that she would be in the house when it was absolutely necessary.