Meeting disrupted by unruly scenes

COIMBATORE: The final council meeting of the city corporation witnessed unruly scenes as elected members from Indian National Congress party and independent councilor MS Velmurugan became involved in a heated argument during the meeting.
Velmurugan questioned the implementation of the Central Government's JNNURM projects in Coimbatore and specifically asked questions about the settlements that sank into the ground in Ammankulam and Ukkadam when the argument erupted.Councilors from other parties had to intervene and calm down Congress members who were involved in a heated argument with Velmurugan. City Mayor R Venkatachalam appealed to the councilors to maintain decorum but failed to bring the situation under control.
"I was speaking on behalf of the people who were affected by the faulty execution of the housing scheme for the poor implemented in the city. The mayor and Congress members took offence," said MS Velmurugan.
Congress councilor M Krishnamurthy objected to Velmurugan's comments against the Congress party and its schemes and walked up to Velmurugan's seat. A battle of words ensued between them. The rest of the Congress councilors including RS Thirumugham, Shobana Selvan and VKSK Senthilkumar also joined in the argument.
"The main objection raised by Congress members against Velmurugan was that he was discussing central schemes and deliberately tarnishing the image of the Congress. The corporation council meeting is not the venue to talk about baseless subjects," said VK SK Senthil Kumar.
Velmurugan alleged that the corporation worked hand in glove with those in charge of the execution of settlements in Ammankulam and Ukkadam. He also alleged that the land at Ukkadam was located next to the sewage treatment plant of the corporation.
"It is just a minor matter. It should not be made into a big issue," said R Venkatachalam, Mayor, Coimbatore corporation.
The meeting was disrupted for few minutes until the issue was resolved and the councilors returned to their respective seats.