Convicted star leads Tamil Nadu

Jayalalitha was barred from contesting the elections

Controversial film-star-turned-politician Jayalalitha Jayaram has become the chief minister of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu following her poll victory.

Jayalalitha has been convicted of corruption and was barred from contesting the elections herself.

But her AIADMK alliance won a resounding victory in state polls last Thursday, scooping 196 out of a total 234 seats.

State Governor Fatima Biwi invited her to form the next government.

"The governor has invited her to form the ministry at the earliest and asked her to send the list of persons to be appointed as ministers with their portfolios," a statement from the governor's office said.

She was sworn in by the governor amid cheers from her party members who attended the ceremony at the governor's mansion.

Jayalalitha followers celebrate with fire crackers

Some commentators had suggested that Jayalalitha should nominate someone to lead the state government in her place.

But as the results came in, she declared she would take over as chief minister, a post she occupied between 1991 and 1996.

"People have given their mandate for me to rule the state.

"Putting anyone else in that place would mean disrespect to the verdict of the people. We cannot afford to do this," she told a television station.

Controversy

Jayalalitha Jayaram was convicted of bribery charges relating to her previous tenure as chief minister and sentenced to two years' hard labour.

But she only served two months in jail.

However, even after becoming chief minister, she would still have to win a seat in the state legislative assembly within six months.

The BBC's Satish Jacob says the issue of corrupt politicians has been thoroughly debated in India.

Concern is rising in the country over the number of elected representatives with criminal records.

Legal analysts say the swearing-in of Jayalalitha as chief minister, after having been convicted, would set a new precedent.