Chennai’s Mayor Priya whose recent comments on ‘Amma Unavagam’ had caused embarassment for the DMK has now been ordered to not speak to the press until further notice.
R Priya of the DMK, a Christian Dalit, was recently sworn in as the Mayor of Chennai. She had contested in the urban local body elections in Tamil Nadu and emerged as winner from the Mangalapuram ward. Maheshkumar of the DMK became the Deputy Mayor of the city.
Ever since Priya became Mayor, she has found herself struggling with the media and has made comments that has brought embarassment to the DMK. However, the Deputy Mayor would often come to her rescue in facing the questions.
Meanwhile the corporation meeting which was to be chaired by the Mayor, was handed over to the Deputy Mayor. This created a stir not only among the ruling party but also among the Opposition.
A recent pressmeet that was held by the Mayor created controversy in which Priya told that the Amma Unavagam was being run at loss and that it was being run out of magnanimity. She also said that some of the Amma Unavagams in the city was seeing no/less footfalls.
Deputy Mayor Maheshkumar immediately intervened to buttress her from a volley of questions. He managed the reporters stating that the Mayor was trying to say that few Amma Unavagams were causing a loss of one lakh rupees to the corporation.
Howvever, the Priya’s comments had become viral in social media with many lashing out at her for being insensitive to the poor.
In light of this, the DMK high comman has issued a gag order on her asking her to not speak to the press until further notice.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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