The Hindu 15.06.2011
Fireworks expected at council meeting
The first council meeting of Madurai Corporation to be held on Wednesday after the Assembly Election is expected to witness some fireworks as the opposition parties have gained moral strength with their new alliance and change of guard in the State.
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has now got support of its allies Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).
The AIADMK enjoys the support of only 25 councillors (AIADMK 11; DMDK seven and CPI(M) six and one DMK councillor, Chelladurai, who has switched loyalty to the AIADMK post election).
Upbeat mood
However, the partymen are in an upbeat mood with the massive victory the alliance had in the election by sweeping all the 10 seats in the district, including all the four in the city, which falls under the Madurai Parliamentary Constituency represented by Union Minister M.K. Alagiri.
The stern action by the Corporation officials in evicting many of the unauthorised shops in all the bus stands in the city is seen as the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the local body losing its control over the officials.
Ruling party councillors did not raise their voice even against removing those shops that were “authorised” by the council to be constructed replacing the passenger waiting hall.
The presence of large number of visitors accompanied AIADMK councillors and party men on the Corporation office is also an indication of the main opposition party in the council displaying its new political vigour.
It would also be interesting to note how the DMDK members fare in the council meeting after the party got “recognition” from the Election Commission following its massive victory in the Assembly election.
Change of status
The party members were treated as independents so far. They got very little chance to participate in the discussion and were not allotted seats as done for recognised parties.
The party has seven councillors, which is more than the number of members the DMK ally, Congress party has.
It has to been seen whether the party members would be allotted separate seating in the council hall based on its strength.
Different seats
The CPI (M) councillor, M. Palanichamy, who joined the DMK before the polls and Mr. Chelladurai might be allotted different seats.
