DMK-dominated GCC council meets today after 4-month gap

Chennai, June 24 (IANS) The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) council is set to meet on Wednesday for the first time in four months, following a break caused by the Assembly elections and the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.

The meeting is expected to draw attention from both residents and political observers. While citizens hope that long-pending civic grievances will be taken up by their elected representatives, political circles are watching developments related to councillors joining the ruling Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and possible discussions over displaying Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s portrait in the council hall, an issue that has surfaced in several local bodies across Tamil Nadu since the party assumed office.

Four councillors from the AIADMK and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) have reportedly shifted allegiance to the TVK in recent months. The party is also backed in the council by its allies, including 13 Congress members; four from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK); two each from the CPI(M) and CPI, and one from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). However, the DMK continues to dominate the council with 153 members.

R. Jayaraman, CPI(M) councillor from Ward 4, said the absence of council meetings for four months had limited opportunities for councillors to raise public issues. He noted that residents had repeatedly complained about frequent power outages during the night, unfinished stormwater drain works, poor road restoration and irregular drinking water supply through tanker services.

DMK councillor and Tondiarpet Zonal Chairman Nethaji U. Ganesan welcomed the commencement of work on a long-pending road overbridge at a railway level crossing in North Chennai.

At the same time, he criticised the civic administration and police for implementing traffic diversions between Vaidyanathan Bridge and R.K. Nagar Junction without consulting local councillors.

According to him, the move resulted in severe congestion during peak morning hours, and he intends to seek alternative solutions during the meeting.

Valasaravakkam Zonal Chairman V. Rajan also questioned the delay in convening the council, pointing out that the election code had been lifted on May 6.

Corporation officials said 28 resolutions would be placed before the council on Wednesday, while 12 councillors have submitted questions for discussion.

Officials added that the corporation has not yet received any formal communication regarding councillors changing political parties. Under existing rules, councillors who switch parties are not automatically disqualified, provided the required intimation is submitted by both the councillor and the party concerned.

–IANS

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