Tuesday, Apr 23, 2002
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Tamil Nadu
By Our Special Correspondent
Just as the Local Administration Minister, C. Durairaj, rose to introduce the Bills, leaders of the DMK, the Tamil Maanila Congress, Left parties, the Pattali Makkal Katchi, the Congress and the BJP raised objections. They said they favoured the principle of ``one-man, one-post.'' But, it was improper to give it retrospective effect. Once the Bills are passed, probably on May 8, after a discussion, the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi's son, M. K. Stalin, lone victim of the proposed legislation in the 231-member House, will cease to be Chennai Mayor within 15 days of publication of the Act in the gazette, unless he quits his MLA post. Mr. Stalin remained a mute spectator all through the proceedings this morning, while the Leader of the Opposition and DMK general secretary, K. Anbazhagan, said giving ``retrospective effect'' to the legislation was ``unfair''. The DMK deputy leader, Durai Murugan, charged that ``the amendments are aimed at defeating an individual, Stalin''. The Bills, amending five existing laws governing local bodies, say no MLA or MP shall be ``qualified for being elected, and for being'' a Mayor or Deputy Mayor of the Corporations; chairman, vice-chairman of municipalities and town panchayats; president or vice-president of panchayats and chairman or vice-chairman of a panchayat union council or of a district panchayat. The Bills do not bar MLAs and MPs of both Houses of Parliament from being councillors of panchayats, panchayat unions, municipalities and corporations. The statement of objects and reasons for amending the Corporation and Municipalities Acts including the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919, says: ``If a member of either House of Parliament or a member of the Legislative Assembly is elected chairman, or vice-chairman of a municipality or a town panchayat or Mayor or Deputy Mayor of a Corporation, it will not be possible for him to discharge his duties and responsibilities more effectively''. Also, ``Mayors and deputy Mayors exercise similar powers and duties'' though the Mayor is directly elected, while the Deputy Mayor is elected by councillors. Similarly, the statement of objects for amending the Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act, 1994 claims that it ``would not be possible'' for chiefs and vice-presidents of panchayats, panchayat unions and district panchayats to ``discharge their duties and responsibilities more effectively'' if they were MLAs or MPs too. Despite the strident objection, the AIADMK is expected to push the measure through as it has a comfortable majority with 133 members, while the combined strength of the parties opposed to the Bills is 94 MLAs. Asked for his reaction, Mr. Karunanidhi said while the DMK welcomed the one-man, one-post principle, retrospective effect to the law was being given with ``bad intentions.'' Asked whether the DMK decided which post Mr. Stalin would keep, he said the party would wait until the law came into force. Mr. Stalin said the reasons mentioned in the Bill would not hold water. The city made significant progress in the last five years, when he held both posts. It was clear that the Bill was solely aimed at him.
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