Chennai: Local bodies in Tamil Nadu are likely to witness heated arguments over the bill introduced to elect Mayors and municipal chairman indirectly. The DMK and opposition ward representatives are gearing up to take up the issue in council meets scheduled next week.
In Chennai, DMK district secretaries have told corporation councillors to rake up the issue in the council meet scheduled for June 30. “We have raised the issue in the Assembly to prove our point to the government. In this case, the actual draw back will be to the civic bodies and corporations. Our councillors will rake up the issue and those heading the local bodies cutting across party lines should understand that the move is a political threat for elected representatives spoiling the freedom that a local body council enjoys,” said Saidapet MLA and former Mayor M. Subramanian.
“In fact, this move is a surprise shock for some of our party men aspiring for Mayor and municipal chairman posts. Now like ministers, the ruling party can change Mayors and municipal heads, but we cannot do anything about this as the state has powers to amend the Tamil Nadu Municipal Corporation Act which governs local bodies,” admitted an AIADMK councillor.
“What is wrong in throwing out an errant Mayor or Chairman if found to be at fault. Our party is all about discipline and clean image. Even ministers are not spared and this bill will ensure that municipal heads behave in public,” said a former AIADMK MLA.
