Chennai: Two expunged words led to the eviction of one dozen DMK councillors from the council hall in Ripon Buildings even before the budget session of the Greater Chennai Corporation could begin on Monday.
Before being forcibly shifted out of the hall by police personnel, AIADMK councillors even attempted to manhandle the heckling opposition. Councillors P.V. Tamilselvan, Subash Chandra Bose and V. Vasu were among those who were shoved by AIADMK councillors including D. Kasthuri, Sivadas and ‘MGR’ Vasan among others.
The scuffle started when one of the DMK councillors, K. Neelakantan, remarked that Mayor Saidai Duraisamy was keen on holding up the budget briefcase carrying the photograph of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa only when news photographers entered the council hall.
This drew a sharp-witted reaction from the Mayor which evoked laughter from AIADMK councillors and drew the ire of DMK councillors. “Mao once said to use the same weapon as one’s enemy,” the Mayor remarked. Agitated DMK councillors demanded the Mayor expunge his comment to which the Mayor replied that he would, if they (DMK) would as well.
