The Sri Lankan Tamils issue found its echo at the Tiruchi Corporation Council meeting on Thursday with members of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam indulging in a war of words, seeking to hail the efforts taken by their respective party leadership in support of the Tamils cause.
The AIADMK moved a resolution thanking Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for adopting a resolution in the State Assembly on Wednesday demanding a referendum on creating a separate Tamil Eelam and an independent international inquiry into the alleged war crimes of the Sri Lankan Government.
The DMK members, on the other hand, sought to highlight the party’s decision to pull out from the UPA government over the issue and staged a walkout alleging that they were not being given an opportunity to speak.
ADVERTISEMENT
As soon as the urgent meeting began, J.Srinivasan of the AIADMK moved a resolution thanking the Chief Minister for adopting the ‘historic resolution,’ in the Assembly. Hema of the Congress took objection to the resolution observing that the council should rather take up issues relating to local governance, but was soon shouted down by the AIADMK members.
Nagarajan of the DMK pointed out that the DMK had already pulled out from the UPA government on the issue. As his party colleague Sathyamoorthy rose to speak on the issue, AIADMK members were on their feet accusing the DMK councillors of not having the heart to support the State government initiative.
The DMK members urged Mayor A.Jaya to allow them to have their say. Amidst chaotic scenes, the DMK members staged a walkout protesting the denial of an opportunity to speak on the issue. On their way out, some of them gathered in front of the Mayor’s table and sought to plead with her. AIADMK members too rushed in and the DMK members soon went out amidst slogan shouting from both sides.
ADVERTISEMENT
Later, responding to a query Ms.Jaya informed the council that 97 per cent of work on the Rs.221.42 crore new drinking water supply augmentation scheme was over and the project will be commissioned soon.
Corporation Commissioner V.P.Thandapani, in response to another query, said officials of the civic body, Transport, Revenue and Police departments were conducting joint inspections of the 210 bus shelters that are proposed to be developed in association with private partners in the city. Work will begin on the project once the inspection was complete.
He also assured steps to improve the standard of education and the infrastructure of Corporation schools. Attempts were being made to rope in additional part-time teachers through parent-teachers associations of the schools, he said.