''Yes, the recognition has been given,'' Speaker R Avudaiappan told reporters at the end of today's proceedings of the House.

The AIADMK supremo is donning the role of the Leader of the Opposition after a gap of 17 years.

Ms Jayalalithaa, who initially decided to stay away from the House in view of ''unsavoury incidents'' in 1989, changed her mind after the en masse suspension of her party MLAs for alleged unruly behaviour.

Meanwhile, Ms Jayalalithaa, who attended the House on May 27 and took part in the proceedings as a member, did not turn up today belying expectations that she would wind up the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address in her new capacity as the Leader of the Opposition.

Whether the former chief minister would come to the House or not remained a suspense till the very end with even AIADMK legislators, including Deputy Leader of the Opposition O Panneerselvam, in the dark.

The AIADMK members were seen huddled in the room of the Leader of the Opposition anxiously waiting for their leader.

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