The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Council meet turns ugly, DMK members evicted

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 26, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Council meet turns ugly, DMK members evicted

By Our Staff Reporter

Opposition members staging a dharna in front of the Chennai Corporation Council Hall on Thursday. — Photo: K.V.Srinivasan

CHENNAI, NOV. 25. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) councillors were evicted from the Corporation council's monthly meeting today on the instructions of the Deputy Mayor R. Thiagarajan (All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam).The councillors protested the remarks made by Mr. Thiagarajan(AIADMK) against DMK chief M. Karunanidhi and the party deputy general secretary M.K. Stalin, which led to a heated verbal exchange between between DMK floor leader C.V. Malayan and Mr. Thiagarajan.

Mr. Malayan charged Mr. Thiagarajan with behaving in a partisan manner and being responsible for most of the problems in the council. Mr. Thiagarajan accused Mr. Malayan of raising the charges only to protect his post as party floor leader. He then launched a scathing attack on both Mr. Karunanidhi and Mr. Stalin. By then the DMK contingent was on its feet.

DMK whip P.V. Kalyanasundaram requested Mr. Thiagarajan to expunge the entire conversation — including what he considered inappropriate in Mr. Malayan's speech — to ensure smooth functioning of the council. The Deputy Mayor then expunged Mr. Malayan's remarks but retained his own.

DMK councillors then rushed to the well of the council and raised slogans against the Deputy Mayor. A few of them flung the resolution copies at the well. AIAMDK councillors took exception to this and things threatened to go out of hand. AIADMK floor leader V. Sukumarbabu and Town Planning Committee chairman P. Vetrivel intervened and urged the members to return to their seats.

Security personnel then forcibly evicted some of the DMK councillors while the rest walked out.

Congress walkout

After the evictions, Congress floor leader R. Manohar requested permission to speak but was refused permission. When Mr. Manohar stood his ground, he too was evicted. Other Congress councillors also walked out in protest.

Independent councillor Syed Masood, representatives of the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Pattali Makkal Katchi condemned the Deputy Mayor for evicting the DMK members.

The evicted DMK councillors squatted outside the council hall for more than 30 minutes and raised slogans against the AIADMK and the Deputy Mayor.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu