J Jayalalithaa Swearing-in Ceremony Monday May 23,2016 - Stalin Seating Row: Jayalalithaa says no intent to disrespect Tuesday May 24,2016

J Jayalalithaa thanks M K Stalin for attending swearing-in ceremony


In a significant gesture seeming to put behind poll rivalry, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Tuesday May 24,2016 thanked DMK Treasurer M K Stalin for attending her swearing-in ceremony and said she looked forward to work with his party for development in the state.

A day after controversy over Stalin being allotted a back-row seat at the venue of her swearing-in ceremony, Jayalalithaa said there was no intention to show disrespect to him or his party. “I am happy to note that Thiru MK Stalin, MLA, attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new council of ministers. I thank him for attending the event,” she said in a statement. 

J Jayalalithaa said Stalin was seated in the block of seats intended for Members of the Legislative Assembly.

“I am informed that the Public Department had followed the protocol manual in allocating seats in the hall for the event,” she said, adding, “if this seating plan caused him any discomfiture, I would like to assure him that there was no intent to show disrespect to him or his party.”

“Had the officers brought to my notice that Thiru MK Stalin would be attending the event, I would have instructed the officers in charge of the arrangements to provide him a seat in the first row, relaxing the norms in the protocol manual,” she added.

Conveying Stalin her good wishes, she said she looked forward to “working with his party (DMK) for the betterment of the state.”