The city walls that sported white look are now dressed in various hues, thanks to political parties that have occupied all to convey their messages.
With the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct in the early part of March this year, the poll machinery in the district removed all posters, banners and removed graffiti by painting white the walls. After removing all political advertisements, the district administration officials warned political parties of action under 171 H of the Indian Penal Code (illegal payments in connection with an election) if they were to deface walls with messages.
The result was that walls beneath bridges, compound walls of government establishments and other places sported white clean look.
But soon after the declaration of results on May 19, political parties are back in action – writing messages in party colours. On the sides of the North Coimbatore flyover on Mettupalayam Road, the ruling AIADMK has a huge graffiti thanking the voters for the party’s victory in the polls.
Elsewhere in the city too the party cadre are busy thanking voters by painting on walls.
Not to be left behind, the DMK too has stuck bills. In Saibaba Colony and other places, the party’s candidate for the Coimbatore North Assembly constituency Meena Logu has thanked the voters through a number of posters.
Sources in the political parties say that graffiti and posters are the easiest way to reach voters and members of the public.
Interestingly, the Madras High Court on March 18, 2016 said that the restriction on defacement of walls and hoardings that the Election Commission of India shall continue even after elections, till further orders. In the process of giving the order, it observed that the menace of defacement and hoardings had permeated in the State.
Civil society activist K. Kathirmathiyon said that the Coimbatore Corporation or the local body concerned should initiate action under the Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act. If it does not, the Collector should remove hoardings and graffiti and complain about Corporation’s inaction to the government. And that action should not be restricted to political hoardings or graffiti alone but also include commercial advertisements.
