Subramanian claimed that the party had received permission from the civic body for the clean-up and argued with the officials claiming that they took up the activity only to prevent DMK from doing it.

The former Mayor also warned the officials of picketing at the Corporation headquarters at Ripon Building if they abandoned the clean-up midway. The officials, however, managed to pacify Subramanian and assured him that the lake would be cleaned thoroughly.

Residents from the area claimed that the civic workers stopped the clean-up as soon after the DMK cadres left but returned after a few hours to resume the work..