Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Petition against hoardings in praise of Azhagiri

Staff Reporter

They pose danger to pedestrians, says AIADMK councillor

COURTING TROUBLE: Banners of M.K. Azhagiri, son of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, put up at Yanaikal in Madurai as part of his birthday celebrations. — Photo: K. Ganesan

MADURAI: An All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam councillor has moved the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking removal of hoardings and placards put up in the city in praise of M.K. Azhagiri, son of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

Hearing the writ petition on Tuesday, Justice A. Kulasekaran directed the Special Government Pleader to take notice on behalf of the District Collector, Corporation Commissioner and the Police Commissioner and posted the matter for January 29.

According to P. Salaimuthu, representing the 68th ward, the Chief Minister's son, who resides here, wields considerable power and influence. To curry favour with him, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam cadres had "unauthorisedly" erected several hoardings.

He said the boards contained adulatory verses and photographs equalling Mr. Azhagiri with Lord Krishna, Chathrapathi Shivaji, Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and even with AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran.

These were installed at busy road junctions posing a danger to pedestrians besides being a hindrance to free movement of vehicles.

There was a considerable spurt in the number of hoardings in view of the 56th birthday of Mr. Azhagiri on January 30, the petitioner said. No useful purpose could be served by complaining to the Mayor or the Deputy Mayor as they were also among those who had erected the boards, he said.

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