With AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa being jailed in an 18-year-old corruption case, state finance minister O. Panneerselvam is likely to succeed her as the chief minister.

Panneerselvam, or OPS as he is popularly known in Tamil Nadu, had served as interim chief minister over a decade ago when Jayalalithha was jailed in another corruption case. In 2001, the actor-turned-politician made senior minister Panneerselvam the chief minister.

O. Paneerselvam, who was born on January 1951, owned agricultural lands and a tea shop before he became the chairman of Periakulam municipality in 1996. In 2001, he contested MLA election from Periakulam and became the PWD minister. Later, he also became a chief minister after Jayalalithaa lost a corruption case. In March 2002, he had to resign after the Supreme Court overturned Jayalalithaa's conviction. He was criticised during his chief minister's days for heading a puppet government, with Jayalalithaa micromanaging the government.

Paneerselvam has also been the leader of the AIADMK legislative party and the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for about two weeks, after the party lost the assembly elections in May 2006. He has been twice elected to the Tamil Nadu assembly from Periakulam constituency.

(indiatoday)