DMK-AIADMK clash disrupts Chennai GCC Council meet, 38 resolutions passed
Synopsis
The first Greater Chennai Corporation Council meeting under Tamil Nadu's new government turned combative on 24 June, as DMK and AIADMK councillors clashed over seating protocol and political taunts — with papers thrown across the aisle. Yet all 38 resolutions passed, underlining how institutional machinery grinds on even when political rivalry boils over at the ward level.
Key Takeaways
The first Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Council meeting under the new Tamil Nadu government was held on 24 June at the Ripon Building , chaired by Mayor R.
DMK and AIADMK councillors clashed verbally and physically after DMK members allegedly taunted AIADMK over the absence of a party leader.
Ward 1 councillor Sivakumar threw papers at AIADMK floor leader Satheesh Kumar , triggering disorder that senior councillors later brought under control.
Civic issues raised included the return of land at Thanduvadi from CPCL and lack of amenities in Varma Colony for around 2,000 residents .
Despite the disruption, the council passed all 38 resolutions on the agenda.
A heated confrontation between Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) councillors briefly disrupted the first Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Council meeting following the formation of the new Tamil Nadu government, held at the Ripon Building in Chennai on Wednesday, 24 June. Despite the disorder, the council completed its agenda and passed all 38 resolutions placed before the House.
Setting and Security
The session was chaired by Mayor R. Priya in the presence of Corporation Commissioner G.S. Sameeran and Deputy Mayor M. Mahesh Kumar. Given the heightened political interest surrounding the first council meeting under the new government, a large contingent of police personnel was deployed around the Corporation headquarters to maintain order.
Early attention centred on the display of photographs of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inside the council hall — portraits representing both the incumbent TVK-led administration and the previous DMK government — which became a talking point during proceedings.
Key Civic Issues Raised
Manali Zonal Committee Chairman A.V. Arumugam urged the Corporation to pass a resolution seeking the return of vacant civic land at Thanduvadi, which had earlier been handed over to Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) for use as a lorry parking facility.
DMK councillor Chitrarasu and other members pressed for the installation of photographs of M.K. Stalin in zonal committee meeting halls, citing an existing government order. AIADMK floor leader Satheesh Kumar raised the lack of basic amenities in Varma Colony, a residential area in his ward with around 2,000 residents, alleging persistent neglect and an absence of significant development work. Mayor Priya acknowledged that the area falls within an encroached zone — which limits the Corporation's ability to execute infrastructure projects — and assured the council that officials would inspect the locality and submit a report.
How the Confrontation Unfolded
Tensions escalated when Zonal Committee Chairman Ravichandran attempted to address the council on the amenities issue. Satheesh Kumar reportedly asked him to remain seated, drawing sharp objections from DMK councillor Kavi Ganesan. The verbal exchange quickly drew in councillors from both sides.
The situation deteriorated further after DMK members allegedly taunted the AIADMK over the absence of a party leader. An agitated Satheesh Kumar walked towards the DMK benches, prompting ruling-party councillors to confront him. Ward 1 councillor Sivakumar then threw papers at the AIADMK floor leader, triggering further disorder inside the hall. Senior councillors intervened and eventually restored calm.
Mayor's Clarification and Outcome
Mayor Priya clarified that while zonal committee chairpersons oversee development activities in their respective areas, MLAs are also entitled to attend zonal meetings, discuss constituency projects, and share the dais with committee chairpersons. This comes amid broader friction between the new TVK-led state government and legacy DMK and AIADMK political structures at the civic level.
Notably, despite the disruption, the council completed its full agenda and approved all 38 resolutions — a signal that institutional business continued even as political tempers flared. The next GCC council meeting is expected to be watched closely for further flashpoints between the two rival parties.
Point of View
Both DMK and AIADMK are recalibrating their identities at the ward level — and the GCC council has become a proxy arena for that contest. The taunt about 'absence of a leader' is telling: AIADMK's leadership vacuum post-Jayalalithaa has never fully closed, and DMK councillors know exactly where to press. The real concern is whether this pattern of disruption will impede Chennai's substantial civic backlog — from encroachment-limited wards like Varma Colony to unresolved land-use disputes with public sector units like CPCL. Institutional business survived Wednesday, but the political temperature at the GCC is unlikely to cool soon.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Greater Chennai Corporation Council meeting on 24 June?
The first GCC Council meeting after the formation of the new Tamil Nadu government was disrupted by a confrontation between DMK and AIADMK councillors at the Ripon Building on 24 June. Despite the clash — which included papers being thrown — the council passed all 38 resolutions on its agenda.
What triggered the clash between DMK and AIADMK councillors?
Tensions reportedly began when AIADMK floor leader Satheesh Kumar asked Zonal Committee Chairman Ravichandran to remain seated while he was attempting to speak, drawing objections from DMK councillor Kavi Ganesan. The situation escalated after DMK members allegedly taunted the AIADMK over the absence of a party leader, prompting Satheesh Kumar to walk towards the DMK benches.
Who chairs the Greater Chennai Corporation Council and who was present?
The meeting was chaired by Mayor R. Priya, with Corporation Commissioner G.S. Sameeran and Deputy Mayor M. Mahesh Kumar also present. Heavy police deployment was arranged around the Corporation headquarters given the heightened political interest.
What civic issues were raised at the GCC Council meeting?
Manali Zonal Committee Chairman A.V. Arumugam sought a resolution for the return of civic land at Thanduvadi from CPCL. AIADMK floor leader Satheesh Kumar raised the lack of basic amenities in Varma Colony, home to around 2,000 residents. DMK councillors also called for photographs of M.K. Stalin to be installed in zonal committee halls.
Were any resolutions passed despite the disruption?
Yes. Despite the confrontation, the GCC Council completed its full agenda and approved all 38 resolutions placed before the House on 24 June.
