Violence delays counting, RO flees hall

By R.Ilangovan

Madurai, OCT 31:In a high voltage drama lasting more than eight hours today, the DMK retained Deputy mayorship of Madurai Corporation Council defeating the AIADMK by a margin of two votes.

The counting, which was suspended following violence inside the hall, was taken up late in the night after the `go-ahead' was received from the State Election Commission.

The DMK's Mr. T.Chinnasamy pipped to the post Mr. M.S.Subbu of the AIADMK by 37-35 votes in a house of 72. A lone vote was declared `invalid'. The Mayor, Mr. S.Ramachandran (DMK), also chipped in, exercising his franchise. The Returning Officer and Corporation Commissioner, Mr. Har Sahay Meena, handed over the certificate of declaration to Mr. Chinnasamy. Mr. Misa.M.Pandian, who was in the DMK then, held the post in the previous term.

Earlier, Mr. Har Sahay Meena, made a hasty exit from the council hall in the face of mob violence after a raging controversy erupted over `two doubtful votes' as the counting began. While the DMK wanted the `doubtful votes' declared `invalid,' the AIADMK councillors demanded that these be declared `valid.'

Mr. Meena said he had to leave the council hall without counting the ballots, as councillors from rival camps and hundreds of hooligans from outside clashed with each other and indulged in violence. He said a councillor tried to snatch ballot papers from his hands and hence he had no option but to leave the hall. When he reached his chamber, he said, he found the box that contained ballots.

``But as we are not very sure about the exact number of ballots inside the box, we sealed it and reported the matter to the SEC. The commissioner denied that he had recommended the SEC a repoll, as alleged by the DMK. ``I just reported the whole matter to the SEC.'' It was also referred to the District Election Officer and the State Election Commissioner.

Tension was palpable since morning as both the AIADMK and the DMK shared the strength in the house of 72. When two doubtful votes surfaced, a furor arose and later led to widespread violence. Meanwhile, a strong AIADMK mob, led by the Madurai urban secretary, Mr. Matchakumar, and Mr. Rajan Chellappa, former MP, entered the Corporation premises and tried to storm the council hall. When police tried to prevent the outsiders, they indulged in violence.

While one group started damaging tubelights and flower pots kept on the aisle of the council hall, another, led by Mr.Matchakumar entered the council hall and started damaging furniture. Almost all mikes on tables were removed and damaged. The councillors ran for safety. A mob also allegedly tried to assault the Mayor who was later escorted to safety. When the situation worsened, the police moved in and resorted to a lathi-charge.

The row over `doubtful votes' delayed the counting which, in turn, led to a high drama on the council premises. The AIADMK demanded a repoll, while the DMK was against it. According to a councillor, it all started when Mr. Pandian, who recently joined the AIADMK, tried to snatch the ballot papers from an official. He also threw the chair which triggered a series of ugly scenes.

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