MLA takes exception over missing name in banner

The Tirupur south MLA S Gunasekaran took exception to a huge flex banner put up without his name or the photograph of Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.  

Though it happened last Saturday, the issue came to spotlight only on Monday with the video of the MLA shouting at the government officials gong viral in social media. 

The incident took place during a function organised by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to create awareness on the State government’s initiative to eliminate the use of plastic from January next year. As part of the event, the TNPCB had sensitised the public on the ill-effects of using plastic and urged them to discard the harmful product.

Participating in the function, legislator S Gunasekaran found fault with the TNPCB officials for not putting up his name in the flex boards.

“How could you conduct a function in my constituency by omitting my name as well as the photograph of the Deputy Chief Minister in the flex board? It’s not your father’s property and not your own function. This is a government programme and we are working for the government,” the MLA is heard yelling at a group of TNPCB officials.

The flex board credited former AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa and chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami with their photographs. 

While the banner did not have the name or photograph of Panneerselvam, the name of Animal Husbandry Minister Udumalai K Radhakrishnan found a place.

Even as the MLA breaks into an argument, Minister Radhakrishnan is seen pacifying him. Thereafter, the Minister is seen asking the Public Relations Officer attached to the district collectorate to inform him before finalising things.