Tamil Nadu - Madurai

CPI (M) stages walkout

MADURAI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) councillors staged a walkout from the Madurai Corporation council meeting protesting against the local body’s move to privatise water supply in wards 6,7 and 8.

The party leader, M. Ganesan, said that his party and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had opposed the move when it was discussed at the council meting last month. “The Mayor, G. Thenmozhi, had unilaterally announced that the subject was passed, though there were a very few members from the ruling party present at the council at that time,” he said. Water supply in the said areas was good now and there was scope for improvement if adequate staff were posted, the councillor said.

The Commissioner, D.J. Dhinakaran, said that the move was part of an agreement signed by the local body under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. The party cadres staged a demonstration on Friday to protest “unannounced” power cuts in the city.

The Madurai MP, P. Mohan, the Madurai (East) MLA, N. Nanmaran, and the party district secretary, R. Annadurai, were among those who addressed the protestors.

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