AIADMK-DMK rivalry is out on Chennai's Pallavaram streets

Animosity between the rival AIADMK and DMK is out in the open in Pallavaram with the former having painted the name boards of some streets in the colours of their party. As per government norms, against a yellow background the street details, including the name, are to be written in black. Now, all 19 streets of ward 26 have details such as the name of the street, the councillor and his mobile phone number in the black, white and red of the AIADMK against a yellow background.
The AIADMK enjoys a majority in the 42-member Pallavaram municipality. "I don't think it is wrong. For years, name boards remained dull and many were worn out. The previous DMK-led Pallavaram municipality did not bother to re-write the boards," says ward 26 councillor R Arunachalam. This "propaganda initiative" has irked other councillors in the municipality, especially those belonging to the DMK. A week ago, a team of DMK councillors and local functionaries took up the issue with the municipality. Officials of the local body tried to re-write the name boards as per norms but allegedly had to bow under pressure from AIADMK councillors. "We are ready to erase and re-write them but out hands are tied as there is pressure from elected representatives of the ruling party," said an official. DMK councillors lodged a complaint with the Chromepet police who, however, declined to intervene saying the issue had to be resolved by the municipality. The DMK men then put up name boards (next to those erected by the AIADMK) on the same streets in their party colours. The AIADMK has sought the help of the municipality but the latter expressed helplessness. "How can we erase boards put up by the DMK alone? It's unfair. So, we left name boards put up by both parties untouched," said an official.