CHENNAI: The first Council Meeting of the expanded Chennai Corporation is set for November 23 at its renovated headquarters - Ripon Building.For the ruling AIADMK party, which has won a brute majority in the Corporation Council by garnering 168 seats out of 200, the day would be marked as historic as none from the party had chaired such a meeting in the civic body’s history.Though two Independent candidates won in the October-local body election, both have since joined the ruling AIADMK party to make its strength to 170. Besides winning these many members in the Council, the AIADMK party also snatched the coveted Mayor post from the DMK for the first time in the Corporation’s history.While the party’s Saidai S Duraisamy won the prestigious seat from the DMK with over a margin of five lakh votes, the party’s 145th ward Councillor Benjamin was elected unopposed to Deputy Mayor’s post two weeks ago.The DMK, which has become the second largest party in the Council with 24 councillors, has nominated Subash Chandra Bose, who won from Ward 58, as the party’s Floor Leader in the House.While the proceedings in the previous council meetings (with 155 members) had lasted for four hours (on an average), the November 23 meeting, given the increase in number of councillors, is likely to be dragged for a few more hours as more councillors would be inclined to record their views during zero-hour and also during the debate on resolutions.On Sunday, the indirect election for chairmen of 15 Corporation zones will be held. The AIADMK’s nominees have bright chances to win these posts in 14 zones as the party has clear majority there. However, there could be a surprise from Zone 2, as DMK and AIADMK has three members each and PMK and DMDK, who have one member each, could tilt the result either way. With continuation of public welfare schemes now in limbo due to the change of guard at Ripon Building last month, the first council meet is likely to take a call on important resolutions pertaining to public welfare.
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