FILE: AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa (Agence France-Presse photo)
J Jayalalithaa is likely to take office as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday. Sources say the oath ceremony is likely be a simple affair - the Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor, and the auditorium of the Madras University in Chennai are being considered as options for the venue.
Nearly eight months ago, Ms Jayalalithaa, 67, was convicted in a corruption case and forced to step down in the midst of her third term as the state's top leader.
Her expected return as the head of the government was enabled by her acquittal earlier this month in the same case, and a party that has expressed its unwavering devotion to her in unabashed shows of sycophancy.
Ms Jayalalithaa was found not guilty of illicitly amassing wealth adding up to nearly Rs. 50 crore by the Karnataka High Court. She must win a state assembly seat within six months of taking over as Chief Minister.
On Friday, the leader, who is known as "Amma" or "mother" will appear in public for the first time after her acquittal to garland statues of AIADMK leaders including founder MG Ramachandran. That morning, her party's 150 lawmakers will meet, where they are expected to endorse her new stint as Chief Minister.
In a statement on Monday that broadly hinted at her plans, Ms Jayalalithaa told party workers that "whatever our cadres wish will happen soon."
When her replacement O Panneerselvam took over as Chief Minister, other AIADMK leaders and he wept through the swearing-in ceremony; when she was jailed, Ms Jayalalithaa's enraged supporters set buses on fire; she has said more than 200 people killed themselves to protest against her incarceration.