The south Indian state of Tamil Nadu is to get a new chief minister, after a political stand-off that plunged the government into crisis.

Edapaddi Palanaswami, who was nominated for the post by late chief minister Jayalalitha's aide Sasikala Natarajan, will be sworn in this evening.

Sasikala, who only uses one name, was nominated as chief minister by the state's ruling party.

However her conviction in a corruption case means she cannot hold office.

She had to surrender to authorities to serve a four-year jail term on Wednesday, but appointed Mr Palanaswami before she left.

He will have to prove his majority in the state assembly within 15 days.

Sasikala's elevation by the party was questioned by caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam, who said he had been "forced" to resign to make way for her.

Her candidacy for the job had been questioned, since she has never been elected to public office.

Sasikala's role was always that of aide and confidante - she had never been given any formal role by Jayalalitha in the party or the state government.

But analysts say her proximity to power allowed her and her extended family to wield huge influence.