CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Municipal Corporation Laws (Amendment Act) 2016 which paves way for indirect election for Mayor and deputy Mayor posts in corproations of the State, was passed on Thursday amid stiff opposition after voting.
During the debate on the law, former Mayor M. Subramanian said the Mayors in all the 12 corporations belong to the AIADMK. Besides, more than 80 per cent councillors also belong to the ruling party. At such circumstances, it could not be accepted that the Mayor lacks the support of councillors.
This is intended as a shortcut to push out unwanted Mayors and make those favourable to the ruling party occupy the post. So, this is not democratic, he contended.
Countering the DMK MLA, Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said, “It is a policy decision and the government has every right to change its policy decision. Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin signed an MoU for methane project and now he is opposing it. Likewise, we have changed our decision”.
AIADMK MLA P. Vetrivel quoting a popular film song of MGR saying that he would punish anyone who knowingly committed a blunder, said the amendment is based on the concept.
Congress MLA Prince said this act would strangulate democracy.
Local Administration S.P. Velumani who replied to the debate said 18 States in the country are following the method and this was not new. Even during the DMK rule, an amendment to call the Mayor as ‘Vanakkathukkuriya Mayor’ was passed.
Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin, who intervened opposed the remarks and demanded that it should be expunged. Speaker P. Dhanapal said expunging the remarks was not needed as the views of both had been recorded.
After the DMK whip Chakrapani demanded voting on the issue, the Speaker asked those supporting the amendment to stand up and counted 132. Since, only 88 including Congress and IUML members opposed the amendment, it was passed. Two other Bills-one for 50 per cent reservation for women and another for conducting elections with the existing territorial areas.
Let direct election oF mayors continue, say Oppn parties
Opposition parties, PMK, CPI (M) and VCK, on Thursday urged the state government to drop its plan to elect the mayor of Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore indirectly through councillors.
Seeking continuation of the direct election to mayor post by the people, PMK founder Dr S. Ramadoss said that in case no party gets majority when mayor election was held indirectly, it would only lead to horse-trading.
Dismissing the state government’s argument that councils of certain municipal corporations are not functioning properly since the mayor does not enjoy the support of the councillors, he said that it was the same AIADMK government that changed the mode of lection to mayor posts from indirect to direct in March 2011 saying that Mayor directly elected by the people would be able to provide better administration.
He also alleged that the change in mode of election was being done in the view of the ruling AIADMK getting lesser votes in the recently held assembly elections in Chennai, Tirunelveli, Tiruchy, Vellore and Tuticorin.
While seeking election of mayor directly by the people, VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan said that the state government should reserve mayor post in Chennai corporation in the ensuing local body polls.
He also sought reservation of vice president posts in rural and urban local bodies. CPI (M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan, who also opposed indirect election to mayor posts, wanted the state government to declare the seats reserved for women and scheduled castes as per the 2011 census report.
Tamil Nadu Assembly adjourned sine die
The Tamil Nadu Assembly was adjourned sine die after a short six-day session convened for Governor’s address. The Leader of House O. Panneerselvam moved a motion for adjournment which was supported by the members.
During his speech, he said a separate room for the ruling party members had been allocated and thanked the Chief Minister for it. The motion of adjournment was passed after voice vote.
