Madurai Deputy Mayor: DMK rebels hold the key

By R. Ilangovan

MADURAI, OCT. 24. The DMK, embarrassed by rebel syndrome, is sceptical of its prospects of retaining the Deputy mayor post in the Madurai Corporation.

The euphoria over winning the mayoral contest has evaporated after the strength of the party, which held a brute majority of 33 in the outgoing Council, was reduced to 27.

The party, with its ally BJP, secured 29 wards in the House of 72 whereas AIADMK, which had 9 members in the last council, improved its tally to 22. But its advantage has got nullified as one of its major allies, the TMC, which held the status of opposition with 16 members, put up a dismal show, winning a mere five. The CPI and the Congress, however, won one each.

That the TMC and the CPI would extend total support to the AIADMK in the Deputy mayor election, is a forgone conclusion. But the AIADMK-TMC-CPI combine, which has 28 councillors, still falls short of the magic number of 37, required for electing a Deputy mayor.

Apart from seeking support from a few Independents, the party nurtures a fond hope of roping in the CPI (M), its estranged partner of the secular front, which has five councillors.

AIADMK functionaries, hope that the CPI (M) which has spoiled the `alliance broth' in the mayoral contest, would make amends by extending support to the AIADMK-led secular front. ``Our high command has instructed us not to rub the CPI (M) up the wrong side. They also want us not to interfere in the issue of the pre- election attack on a pro-AIADMK Tamil daily for its poster campaign against the CPI (M).

But still a sort of uneasiness prevails in the AIADMK camp as four out of nine independents, who got elected, are rebels. With tacit support from DMK chief's son, Mr. M. K. Azhagiri, the rebels, including the former Deputy mayor Messrs. M. Pandian, V. K. Gurusamy, Abdul Kader and Jegannathan, contested and won as independents. AIADMK circles also feel that as `blood is thicker than water,' these rebels would obviously support a consensus DMK candidate for deputy mayor. The fight for deputy mayor, between two equally powerful contestants, has become intense.

Partywise break-up-DMK (27), AIADMK (22), TMC (5), CPI (M) (5), BJP (2), Congress (I) (1), CPI (1) and Independents (9).

Total wards: 72.

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