The transition of state power in Tamil Nadu triggered a physical confrontation at the local level today as the newly elected Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government attempts to assert authority over entrenched municipal strongholds. A dispute erupted inside the Erode City Municipal Corporation between the ruling TVK and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over the installation of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s portrait inside the Mayor’s office.
The confrontation began during a council meeting that convened at 11:30 AM local time. Four councillors formally submitted a letter to the municipal commissioner declaring their defection to the TVK party. The defecting group included councillors Jagadeesh, Thangavelu, Hemalatha, and 43rd ward representative Saburamma.
Following their alignment declaration, the TVK councillors installed a portrait of the Chief Minister in both the commissioner’s office and the main council hall. DMK members physically blocked efforts to place the portrait inside the office of the DMK-aligned Mayor. The incident concluded with a strict one-week ultimatum, according to a regional report verifying the defection and the deadline, warning that the TVK faction will forcibly install the image if the Mayor refuses compliance.
The municipal clash reflects the broader power struggle across the state since Vijay’s swearing-in on May 10. While operating as the primary state opposition under Udhayanidhi Stalin, the DMK maintains absolute control over the 60-member Erode council with 48 seats. The remaining council distribution previously included six AIADMK and four Congress members before today’s realignment.