A wave of Congress party posters has marred the aesthetics of Ambattur Bypass Road in Chennai, leaving a trail of defacement across 100 painted pillars. These pillars, adorned with vibrant rainbow stripes and the names of local industries, were recently completed, just six months ago. The Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association (AIEMA) and Chennai Auto Ancillary Industrial infrastructure Upgradation Company (CAAIIUC), representing local industries, had jointly invested 27,000 each to paint these pillars. Their efforts, aimed at beautifying the area, have been overshadowed by the recent act of defacement.
The posters, plastered on pillars along Third Main Road, feature images of Rahul Gandhi, Congress President K Selvaperunthagai, and other party functionaries. They promote an event for Congress South Chennai (West), held at a nearby marriage hall. Disturbed by this blatant disregard for their investment and effort, AIEMA-CAAIIUC filed a police complaint at the Industrial Estate police station.
CAAIIUC Chairman V Vijayakumaran voiced his frustration, highlighting the persistent nature of the problem. “This menace has been happening for a while, and we have filed multiple police complaints in the past. The industries put a lot of effort into these pillars and agreed on a common design. We maintain them too. It’s unfortunate that the entire stretch is defaced. Civic agencies and police must take action,” he stated.
The complaint prompted a swift response from the Industrial Estate Police Station. They confirmed receipt of the complaint and assured that an FIR would be filed. Furthermore, they promised to take necessary steps to remove the posters.
In response to the allegations, Ambattur zone Congress party functionary and Ward 92 Councillor KV Thilagar defended the party’s actions, claiming that they had instructed the placement of posters only on side walls. He assured, “We will ensure the posters are removed without damaging the pillars. We will assist in repainting them too.”
