Date:01/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/01/stories/2007120158630600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Councillors squat in hall

Staff Reporter

ERODE: DMK, Congress and PMK councillors of Gobichettipalayam Municipality squatted in the meeting hall for 15 minutes protesting against an AIADMK councillor who, they alleged, abused the Chief Minister. The councillors demanded that the councillor apologise and withdraw his remarks.

B. Revathy Devi (AIADMK) was presiding over the council meeting on Thursday when AIADMK councillors Marichamy, Thenmozhi and Congress councillors Chitra Viswanathan and Murali Sridhar complained about improper water supply in Gobichettipalayam town. Revathy Devi said owing to heavy rain and flood in Bhavani River, the municipal pumping motor was sandlogged and could not pump water. After the rain stopped, water level in the river went down drastically. So the municipal administration could not supply water properly. When the council was discussing the water issue, Marichamy got up and made an abusive remark against the Chief Minister. This irked the DMK, Congress and PMK councillors. They squatted on the floor of the council hall, demanded apology from Marichamy and also wanted him to withdraw his words. After sometime, Marichamy said he did not criticise or abuse the Chief Minister, but his remark was directed against the municipal contractor. Later the DMK and other councillors occupied their seats.