Chennai Corporation Council: Mayor says she was not informed of timing of CM Vijay’s Northeast monsoon inspection

Mayor R. Priya said on Thursday (October 29, 2026) that she could not be expected to wait at Ripon Buildings from morning until night for Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s inspection if she was not informed of the correct timing. Speaking, with reference to the Chief Minister’s recent Northeast monsoon inspection, at the Corporation Council meeting, she said the State government could dissolve the council completely instead of sidelining council members during important events.

Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar cited the protocol followed during the Prime Minister’s visits, when the State government is informed in advance, to counter social media claims that the Mayor had deliberately boycotted the Chief Minister’s visit to Ripon Buildings. He urged officials to ensure that information was communicated in a timely manner.

Ambattur Ward Committee chairperson B.K. Murthy (DMK) raised the issue of councillors not being notified of events held in their zones. Many, including Royapuram councillor Rajeshwari Sridhar and ward committee chairpersons Nethaji U. Ganesan (Tondiarpet) and P. Sriramulu (Royapuram), all from the DMK, said they had not been informed of inaugurations or inspections by TVK MLAs and Ministers. Mr. Kumaar said the councillor of Saidapet had not been informed when an MLA was invited to an inauguration.

Ms. Priya said she, too, faced such issues and had not been informed in advance of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s visit to Ripon Buildings to review preparations for the Northeast monsoon, making it difficult for her to attend. “I can come if I am told the time of his visit, but that information is not given,” she said. She questioned whether officials had been instructed by the government not to inform elected representatives and asked why councillors should be excluded.

Later, Sholinganallur councillor K. Vimala pointed out the absence of inauguration plaques. The Mayor directed GCC and Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board officials to install them when projects are launched, saying they would record who had brought the projects to fruition. She also alleged that TVK members were distributing food packets prepared by the GCC during rains and presenting them as their own contributions. The Deputy Mayor asked officials to look into the matter.

Circular issued

Commissioner G.S. Sameeran replied that a circular mandated that all elected representatives be invited to GCC events in advance. He said instructions had been issued through Public Relations Officers and Assistant Public Relations Officers, with 15 additional-duty PROs deployed for stormwater drain and flood-prevention works.

Surprise inspections were exempt from this requirement, but councillors, ward committee chairpersons, the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, MLAs, and Ministers had to be informed in advance of planned events. Timings had to accommodate the senior-most representative attending. Inauguration plaques had to follow the approved protocol and include representatives’ names even if they were absent. He promised to meet public relations officials if lapses continued.