CHENNAI: The city residents have set the alarm bells ringing over the presence of a multitudes of posters, banners and flagpoles of TVK and its leader Vijay, illegally installed along the roads and sidewalks, a stark contrast to the “alternative politics” promised by the actor-turned politician.
During a visit, TNIE saw a huge cut-out – featuring TVK chief Vijay and TVK Royapuram MLA K Vijay Dhamu – on the footpath near a marriage hall at Kalmandapam in Royapuram assembly constituency, blocking the pedestrian access and forcing people on to the road. Similarly, in Velachery, several flagpoles have been installed on a long-stretch along the centre median to celebrate the victory of TVK candidate R Kumar. Massive cut-outs are also placed along the East Coast Road near Thiruvanmiyur.
Speaking to TNIE, Sandhya Vedullapalli, a resident of Anna Nagar said, “Few TVK posters were also seen in Anna Nagar areas, causing defacement of public property. With people believing that TVK would create a change, the party should ensure to put an end to the pervasive poster and banner culture.”
A staff working at a private marriage hall in Kalmandapam said the banners were erected at the hall as part of a birthday celebration for MLA Vijay Dhamu. “However, since the cut-out is huge, even we are hesitant to walk near it on the footpath, fearing it may fall off,” she said. Another staff said the banners at ECR are also erected by him or his close allies as his house is in Thiruvanmiyur.
Many still cannot forget how such illegal banners have claimed lives in the past. On November 25, 2017, K Raghupathy (32) was run over by a corporation truck in Coimbatore after his bike crashed into an arch erected for an MGR centenary function.
Two years later, on September 12, 2019, R Subhashree, a 24-year-old software engineer riding home from work, was knocked off her bike and run over by a water tanker after a flex banner put up for the wedding of an AIADMK functionary’s son collapsed on her near Pallikaranai.
In August 2021, Dinesh (13), was electrocuted in Villupuram when a DMK flagpole he was erecting came into contact with a live overhead cable. More recently, a video went viral on social media showing strong winds in Tiruppur district causing a road accident when a massive roadside banner collapsed, injuring a two-wheeler rider.
Public opine that for someone like Vijay, who has already achieved immense fame and does not require any further publicity, such banners and posters should be completely prohibited. People have pointed out that there is no need to demonstrate loyalty to leaders through by installing illegal, hazardous banners or posters and making walls across the city shabby. The act has also drawn criticism from TVK virtual warriors, who urged Vijay’s immediate intervention.
TNIE’s couldn’t reach corporation officials for a comment.
