CHENNAI: “Ungaluku ellam oru prachanai na indha MLA kita varringa, enake oru prachanai na naan yaar kita poven?” A popular Tamil film comedy dialogue that roughly translates to “When you have a problem, you come to this MLA, when I have a problem, who do I go to?” found an unlikely parallel in the Chennai Corporation council meeting on Thursday, when Mayor R Priya said she, too, was being left out of the loop by government officials.
The exchange began with councillors complaining that officials were failing to invite them to inaugurations and inspections, many of which were attended by TVK MLAs or ministers. Priya said she was facing the same problem, citing the lack of communication about Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s visit timings. “You’re all saying officials aren’t calling you for inaugurations or other events, but the truth is I’m in the same situation,” she said.
Deputy Mayor M Magesh Kumaar said that the Mayor went to meet PM as the timings were informed but was not the case with CM. Priya said, “If the CM is coming, will I just sit in Ripon Buildings from morning to night? They have to tell me the CM’s arrival time for me to be present, which has not been communicated at all.
It is not me ignoring the government, but the government ignoring the mayor.” Shr questioned why councillors were being ignored. The discussion also touched on the format prescribed by the directorate of information and public relations for plaques at inaugurated projects, with councillors objecting to it, reiterating the sidelining of elected representatives.
She also said that the state could dissolve the council if it wants to sideline elected representatives. The GCC commissioner, G S Sameeran, agreed that elected representatives should be invited to such events, except during surprise inspections.
