Feature Image Courtesy: Vikatan
At the heart of Ooty town lies the century-old bustling market built during the British era, which houses over a thousand shops. These shops, owned by the Ooty Municipality, are rented out to traders.
Funds have been allocated for a two-phase project, which involves demolishing the aged shops and replacing them with modern establishments for traders. The work has already commenced, creating a sharp divide between those in favor and those strongly opposing it.
During a monthly meeting held at the Ooty Municipal Assembly Hall, J. Ravikumar, the Vice Chairman of Uthagamandala Municipality belonging to the DMK, stated, “The process of tearing down the old municipal shops and constructing new ones for traders is underway. False information about this development work is being spread among the public by a few people. They are instigating people from behind the scenes.” and further made contentious remarks angrily.
Mustafa, a councilor from the DMK party, expressed his displeasure, saying, “Under the guise of development, they are effectively displacing 400 families and causing disruption in the community. They are more concerned about personal gains than the betterment of people.”
Mustafa also alleged irregularities and corruption in the construction of the new shops.
“Development scheme it seems! Is killing 400 people a development scheme?” Mustafa can be heard angrily shouting.
Responding to this the DMK Vice Chairman Ravikumar says “A development scheme brought by the DMK is being opposed by a DMK member himself” to which an angry Mustafa replies “The DMK is taking bribe of ₹36 crores!”
The tension escalated to a heated exchange between the two councilors during the meeting, prompting their fellow councilors to intervene and mediate.
Discussing the roots of this conflict, some council members were quoted saying in a Vikatan report that both Ravi Kumar and Mustafa have been long-time friends, known for making joint decisions regarding party and municipal matters but Ravi Kumar is inclined towards the construction of new shops, and Mustafa, an active member of the Market Traders Association, vehemently opposes the demolition of the existing shops.”
உதகை நகராட்சிக் கூட்டத்தில் ஊழல் குற்றச்சாட்டு… தி.மு.க. கவுன்சிலர்- தி.மு.க நகராட்சி துணைத்தலைவர் இடையே கடும் வாக்குவாதம் pic.twitter.com/3ncTaBed3G
— Polimer News (@polimernews) October 31, 2023
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