AIADMK councillors stage sit-in protest at council meeting in Salem

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) councillors staged a sit-in protest at the council meeting held at a meeting hall in the Salem Corporation office on Monday (February 9, 2026).

City Mayor A. Ramachandran presided over the meeting where 90 resolutions were passed.

Speaking at the meeting, opposition leader (AIADMK) N. Yadhavamoorthy, citing the 21st resolution, said that Salem Corporation had awarded a contract worth ₹4,315 crore to a private company to supply 24×7 drinking water to residents. He alleged that the intervention of a private company might increase the charges for drinking water and the deposit amount to be paid for the water connection, which will be an additional burden for the people.

“The Corporation should cancel the 21st resolution in this regard and also hold five more resolutions that were mentioned in the urgent council meeting agenda,” Mr. Yadhavamoorthy added. Following this, the AIADMK councillors staged a sit-in protest before the Mayor, demanding to cancel the resolution,  which created a verbal duel between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and AIADMK councillors. The Mayor intervened and assured that he would give explanations regarding the tender given to the private company and the AIADMK councillors went back to their seats.

Explaining the project, Corporation executive engineer Senthil said that of the total cost of the project, 30% each will be borne by the Union and State governments, and the remaining 40% will be borne by the private company. The residents should pay the amount for drinking water consumed and meters will be installed to calculate the usage. 

The AIADMK councillors then demanded an explanation on whether the deposit amount or drinking water charges will be increased or not. Replying to this, the Corporation officials assured that it will not be hiked. Later, the AIADMK councillors sought a resolution be passed that the deposit amount and drinking water charges will not be increased.

The DMK and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) councillors demanded to remove the AIADMK councillors from the meeting, as they were not allowing others to speak. Following this, a verbal duel broke out between them.