GCC Council Debates MK Stalin Portrait Placement Instead of Monsoon Preparedness

On Wednesday, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) council held its first meeting in three months, neglecting crucial monsoon preparedness to debate the placement of former Chief Minister MK Stalin's portrait in government offices. While the council approved minor projects, including an indoor stadium in Sholinganallur, it failed to pass any major civic or drainage resolutions ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.

During the meeting, the council passed routine resolutions worth only Rs 30 crore, which included a volleyball turf, the Sholinganallur stadium, and signboard work. In contrast, during June 2025, the council had approved 110 resolutions in a single month, with many focusing on monsoon preparedness. This week, no new storm water drains, drainage network links, or silt-clearing equipment procurements were proposed.

Instead, a large part of the session was dominated by a debate over political portraits. Standing Committee chairman N Chitrarasu argued that MK Stalin’s photographs should be permitted in government offices under an earlier government order. Deputy Mayor M Magesh Kumaar also called for a circular permitting their display in zonal offices where ward committee meetings are held.

DMK councillor V Rajan alleged that photographs of Stalin at water ATMs inaugurated during the previous DMK government were being covered up. Meanwhile, ward committee chairman R Saritha from Kolathur broke down during the meeting, alleging that authorities were selectively removing DMK materials.

In response, Mayor R Priya clarified that photographs of former Chief Ministers should not be removed from completed projects, while portraits of the incumbent Chief Minister, C Joseph Vijay, could be displayed in new projects. Mayor Priya also warned headmasters of strict action after councillors flagged concerns about individuals entering GCC schools without permission to install portraits of CM Vijay.

The controversy extended to the council hall itself, where a portrait of Dr BR Ambedkar was moved from beside the mayor’s seat to the opposite side of the hall to make way for Stalin’s portrait. VCK councillor C Ambethvalavan stated he was denied permission to speak on the matter during the council session.

Addressing the lack of new infrastructure approvals, Mayor Priya stated that the corporation’s budget had been exhausted by February, but noted that more projects would be taken up during the monsoon after the new government reviews ongoing works.