Opposing the Salem Corporation’s decision to award a ₹4,315-crore contract to a private company for the operation and maintenance of the city’s drinking water distribution system, councillors from the DMK, AIADMK and other parties raised strong objections during the Council meeting held here on Wednesday (May 27, 2026). The protest led to noisy scenes in the Council, with AIADMK councillors staging a walkout and a few members organising a sit-in protest inside the meeting hall.

The meeting was chaired by Mayor A. Ramachandran in the presence of Corporation Commissioner Lalith Aditya Neelam.

Raising the issue, DMK councillor Esan D. Elango alleged that certain resolutions were being introduced without consulting elected representatives. Opposing the move to privatise the water distribution system, he said it would adversely affect the public.

Mr. Elango said that despite the State government implementing several welfare schemes and development works in Salem, the recent electoral setback was due to the indifferent functioning of Corporation officials, inconvenience caused to the public, and corruption allegations.

Stating that he would not support any “anti-people” resolution, including the privatisation of drinking water supply, he engaged in a heated exchange with the Mayor. He also criticised the Corporation administration over irregular drinking water supply in several parts of the city for the past 20 days and urged authorities to take immediate action against officials responsible for the disruption during the summer season. As the Mayor rejected his demand, Mr. Elango, along with AIADMK councillors, staged a walkout from the meeting.

Salem North MLA K. Sivakumar of TVK alleged that basic amenities and civic works had not been carried out properly in several wards. As he continued to criticise the civic administration, councillors objected to his remarks, following which he walked out of the meeting.

Later, speaking to reporters, Mr. Sivakumar alleged that councillors had failed to carry out development works during the past four years. Referring to Ward 33, he claimed that the councillor had not even visited the locality and that drains in the area had not been desilted. He said he had been receiving continuous complaints regarding poorly maintained drains and added that he would inspect other wards as well.

AIADMK councillor N. Yadavamoorthy questioned the proposal to procure new wireless equipment when such facilities were already available. He also questioned the proposal to purchase motors, pipelines and gate valves worth ₹70 lakh for drinking water supply when the system itself was privatised. Demanding that the privatisation proposal be withdrawn, he said residents in areas without underground drainage connections were being forced to pay deposits of ₹10,000.