The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Uproar in Karur council meet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 01, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Uproar in Karur council meet

Staff Reporter

Over alleged remark against Chief Minister

WHO IS RIGHT: Councillors of DMK and AIADMK engaging in a verbal duel at Karur Municipal Council meeting on Wednesday. Chairperson P. Sivakamasundari (seated) is also seen.

KARUR: The Karur Municipal Council witnessed uproarious scenes following an alleged remark by an AIADMK member against the Chief Minister.

When warned of action, the member flatly denied making such a statement.

The Council met here on Wednesday with chairperson P. Sivakamasundari in the chair and in the presence of Commissioner R. Ramani and other officers.

Soon after the council convened, Kamalam (AIADMK) raised the issue of excess collection of Rs. 35 to Rs. 60 per day from vendors near the Bus Stand by “some persons” and called upon the authorities to take action.

G. Balagurubaran (DMK) wanted her to provide evidence. Mrs. Kamalam’s party colleague E. Muthusamy sprang to her support saying they were seeking clarification on the evidence already submitted to the council.

To that Mr. Balagurubaran retorted that the lessees were only AIADMK men and that factionalism among them had brought the issue to the council. Immediately, Mr. Muthusamy replied that such levels of corruption took place only in DMK rule.

That prompted all DMK councillors to object to the “disparaging remark” against the Chief Minister.

They lost no time in moving to the podium and squatted in front of the Chair demanding action against the AIADMK councillor for his alleged remarks.

At that point, Mr. Muthusamy’s colleague Mr. V. Nedunchezhiyan and others joined the fray.

Amid acrimonious scenes, the Chairperson adjourned the council for five minutes. When the meeting resumed, Mrs. Sivakamasundari warned Mr. Muthusamy that he would have to face action if he did not take back the words he had uttered against the Chief Minister. However, Mr. Muthusamy reiterated that he had never uttered words that were attributed to him and not castigated the Chief Minister. Following that further action against him was dropped.

Politics in sports

Another issue that raised friction in the council was related to politics in sports. Again it was Mr. Muthusamy in the limelight as he along with another councillor asked why the Municipality had denied permission for the Karur Basketball Club to conduct its annual All India tournament at the Municipal Thiruvalluvar playground this year.

Mrs. Sivakamasundari replied that a government function was to be held during the days requested for tournament.

When AIADMK member insisted that it was a planned attempt to infuse politics in sports, Mr. Balagurubaran claimed that it was not a planned attempt and precedence should be given to government functions over private events. However, not many were ready to buy the argument.

The Council also adopted a resolution negating an earlier resolution the same council had adopted on February 29, 2008 regarding upward revision of property tax.

Following a clarification from Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, the council adopted a resolution cancelling the earlier resolution.

The new resolution also added that the move could be deferred till such time there was a need for upward revision of property tax.

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

Tamil Nadu