Mayor Priya sidelined me at Chennai Corporation school event, alleges TVK Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar MLA Pallavi

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Mayor R. Priya and Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar MLA M.R. Pallavi at the GCC school event held on June 4, 2026 | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

M.R. Pallavi, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA of Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar, on Thursday (June 4, 2026) walked out of a Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) school event, after Chennai Mayor R. Priya of the DMK gave precedence to an IAS officer when lighting the kuthuvilakku (traditional lamp).

After Ms. Priya had lit the lamp, the TVK MLA reached out to receive the candle, but the former handed it over to K. Karpagam, Joint Commissioner of Education in GCC, with the responsibility of managing 418 schools. As soon as Ms. Karpagam received the candle, Ms. Pallavi, along with her supporters, walked out of the event. A few hours later at another event in another GCC school, the TVK MLA refused to receive the candle from Ms. Priya when she requested the former to light the kuthuvilakku.

The incident sparked controversy on social media, with Ms. Pallavi alleging that the Mayor [who belongs to the DMK] avoided her during the event and gave precedence to an IAS officer. “The Mayor wanted to avoid me; she gave it to the lady, pushing my hand aside. As far as my constituency is concerned, they [the DMK-led Chennai Corporation Council] have not done anything for the people. If they continue to rule, they will continue to cheat the people. They [the DMK Mayor and councillors] continue to be arrogant. Residents have also alleged that councillors are advising them to ask the newly elected MLAs to resolve civic issues whenever they complain about them,” Ms. Pallavi alleged.

On social media, two separate videos were also circulated on Thursday, one showing Ms. Priya cutting the ribbon, while in the other, Ms. Pallavi and Ms. Priya were seen trying to cut the same ribbon with two separate pairs of scissors. In the second video, the TVK MLA manages to cut the ribbon a fraction of a second before the Mayor. Ms. Priya clarified that she adhered to the same protocol