Chennai gets its 1st AIADMK Mayor

CHENNAI: Opening a fresh chapter for the ruling AIADMK in the Chennai Corporation, the party’s Saidai S Duraisamy on Tuesday morning assumed charge as Mayor at the Ripon Building. His work seemed cut out even on day-1, as pouring rains in the morning inundated several parts of the city on Tuesday.While the mood inside the Council Hall of the Corporation was jubilant, it was anything but that for the hundreds of motorists who had to wade through knee-deep water stagnated on most arterial roads and low-lying areas in the city after the torrential rains overnight. Most commuters were seen fuming over the lethargic attitude of the Corporation authorities in draining out the water. Chief Minister J Jayalali­thaa, who was at Ripon Building, along with a group of ministers and MLAs, especially to witness the swearing-in of her party’s first ever Mayor, Duraisamy,  warmed the hearts of the 168 newly elected AIADMK councillors with her presence.After administering the oath of office to Duraisamy, Chennai Corporation Commissioner D Karthikeyan handed over the ceremonial sceptre to the new Mayor, marking the beginning of his rule over the city.Duraisamy then sought the blessings of Jayalalithaa, who sat to his left, along with Speaker D Jayakumar.Six AIADMK councillors also took the oath of office in Jayalalithaa’s presence and touched her feet, seeking her blessing for their new role.Outside, besides the flood, the police too played wet blanket, stalling entry to even journalists with proper entry passes, at every checkpoint.