Nine representatives from various political parties took to the dais at the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, to talk about their plans to develop the city.
Before the event began, an Ifunctionary announced the rules to be followed by the candidates."Unlike a party meeting, candidates are requested not to praise their leaders, not to talk about the works done by the party, nor campaign for votes here. Candidates may greet the audience and talk about their plans to make Coimbatore a better city," the functionary said.
While most candidates obliged, the AIADMK candidate from Coimbatore South, Amman K Arjunan, did not pay heed to the rules. While industrialists bombarded him with questions, Arjunan continued to sing Amma's praises. When BJP candidate Vanathi Srinivasan alleged that the AIADMK government failed to expand the Coimbatore airport, Arjunan blamed the Centre for creating hurdles to the expansion.
An irked industrialist retorted, asking Arjunan what the ruling party had done for the city in the last five years. Other members of the audience quickly followed suite, blaming the party for not implementing any developmental schemes in the city. They accused the state government of poor maintenance of civic works.
"We had placed several demands before the party ahead of the Mayor elections, but none of them have been implemented. The chief minister too had made promises for the city, but we are yet to see any action," said one industrialist.
Apart from Vanathi Srinivasan, N Karthik from DMK, Mayura S Jayakumar from Indian National Congress and C Padmanabhan from CPM also participated in the meeting. They spoke about improving the drinking water supply, completing the underground drainage system, improving trade and revamping transport facilities in the city.
While the candidates spoke about their plans, the ICCI released a book comprising the demands for the city that have been long-pending. They include linking city roads, widening of Coimbatore-Pollachi highway and expansion of the Coimbatore airport.
Before the event began, an Ifunctionary announced the rules to be followed by the candidates."Unlike a party meeting, candidates are requested not to praise their leaders, not to talk about the works done by the party, nor campaign for votes here. Candidates may greet the audience and talk about their plans to make Coimbatore a better city," the functionary said.
While most candidates obliged, the AIADMK candidate from Coimbatore South, Amman K Arjunan, did not pay heed to the rules. While industrialists bombarded him with questions, Arjunan continued to sing Amma's praises. When BJP candidate Vanathi Srinivasan alleged that the AIADMK government failed to expand the Coimbatore airport, Arjunan blamed the Centre for creating hurdles to the expansion.
An irked industrialist retorted, asking Arjunan what the ruling party had done for the city in the last five years. Other members of the audience quickly followed suite, blaming the party for not implementing any developmental schemes in the city. They accused the state government of poor maintenance of civic works.
"We had placed several demands before the party ahead of the Mayor elections, but none of them have been implemented. The chief minister too had made promises for the city, but we are yet to see any action," said one industrialist.
Apart from Vanathi Srinivasan, N Karthik from DMK, Mayura S Jayakumar from Indian National Congress and C Padmanabhan from CPM also participated in the meeting. They spoke about improving the drinking water supply, completing the underground drainage system, improving trade and revamping transport facilities in the city.
While the candidates spoke about their plans, the ICCI released a book comprising the demands for the city that have been long-pending. They include linking city roads, widening of Coimbatore-Pollachi highway and expansion of the Coimbatore airport.