The MGR centenary celebrations here on Sunday saw the installation of life-size bronze statues of former Chief Ministers Jayalalithaa and M.G. Ramachandran alongside the existing Anna statue on Avinashi Road, and the naming of the Gandhipuram flyover as the MGR flyover. Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced a host of projects for the city on the occasion.
AIADMK cadre were seen taking selfies next to the statues and praying to the late leaders.
Meanwhile, hoardings and party flags on Avinashi Road and several other locations, compounded by traffic diversions for the event, attracted the ire of a cross-section of members of the public. In one hoarding outside the AIADMK office, the image of the Chief Minister was used, in violation of the Madras High Court order banning the use of photographs of living persons in cut-outs.
Backlash on social media
Many took to social media to attack the government for conducting the event in an extravagant manner.
“Heard that womenfolk get ₹200 for attending #MGR100 Coimbatore function at VOC Park. Whose money is being spent like this and celebrate?”, tweeted @moghly. “#Kanyakumari is flooded by #CycloneOckhi and #TamilNadu Govt. is celebrating #MGR100 function good government Mr.Eps keep it up ella neram ungala la CM ah pakanum nu”, tweeted @tysonstark.
