DMK councillors on Friday complained about unwarranted interference by TVK party representatives at review meetings conducted by newly elected MLAs in the presence of civic officials of Chennai Corporation in various zones of the city.

With TVK emerging as the new ruling after Assembly elections, the DMK is bracing itself for chaotic council meetings for the remaining tenure of nine months. Congress, its main ally before the elections, has joined the ruling TVK. VCK, which has four councillors and IUML with one councillor, have also joined the government while Left parties are extending outside support to the TVK government.

At the first meeting of DMK councillors after Assembly elections conducted by Mayor R. Priya in Ripon Buildings on Friday, councillors pointed to instances of such review done by certain TVK party representatives who accompanied newly elected MLAs from Assembly constituencies in the city.

For instance, DMK councillors complained about the participation TVK representatives in review meetings conducted by an MLA in zones such as Sholinganallur and Perungudi to review civic projects in the presence of GCC officials. 

Deputy Mayor Mu.Magesh Kumaar said: “DMK is not against the elected MLAs who try to resolve civic issues. But we are concerned about the presence of political party representatives who are not elected by the people at official review meetings.”

At the meeting on Friday, Chennai Corporation Councillors, zonal chairpersons and standing committee chairpersons were asked to start meetings of zonal committees and standing committees after June 1, ahead of the much-anticipated Chennai Corporation Council meeting in June. 

As the DMK is expecting noisy disruptions during the Council meetings because of the political situation post Assembly elections, the councillors were asked to maintain decorum and use measured language in the event of chaos during the discussion on civic issues and participation by newly elected MLAs in the Council meetings.

Chennai Corporation Council DMK floor leader N. Ramalingam said: “We are determined to maintain decorum during the council meetings. DMK councillors have been advised not to react to unacceptable remarks. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor will take responsibility for maintaining the decorum of the council when there are protests or heated exchanges during council meetings. Over 90 percent of the DMK councillors participated in the meeting on Friday.”

Chennai Corporation Congress floor leader Samuel Diraviam said the 13 councillors of the Congress will demand greater transparency regarding tenders to resolve civic issues of the people. “The newly elected MLAs should be invited for the Chennai Corporation Council meeting in June to discuss civic issues.”