DMK Slams Vijay Govt After Udhayanidhi’s Release

• Udhayanidhi Stalin released after questioning following a Madras High Court order.
• MK Stalin accuses Chief Minister Vijay’s government of “arrogance” and political diversion.
• Arrest followed controversy over Udhayanidhi’s alleged double entendre involving actor Trisha Krishnan.
• DMK claims the action was aimed at diverting attention from the Cauvery water dispute.

GG News Bureau
Chennai, 4th Aug: The DMK launched a sharp attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government on Tuesday after Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was released from police custody following nearly four hours of questioning over his controversial remarks allegedly alluding to actor Trisha Krishnan.

DMK president and Udhayanidhi’s father MK Stalin accused the ruling party of arrogance and alleged that the arrest was aimed at silencing political criticism.

“Arrogance leads to destruction; persistent arrogance only accelerates it,” Stalin said, escalating the political confrontation between the DMK and the Vijay-led government.

Udhayanidhi was released after questioning following an order from the Madras High Court. He had been booked under multiple legal provisions, including those relating to obscene words, outraging the modesty of women, promoting enmity, provocation with intent to cause riot and criminal intimidation. Provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act were also invoked, according to sources.

The controversy originated from Udhayanidhi’s speech at a protest in Thanjavur over the Cauvery water dispute with Karnataka.

During the speech, members of the crowd reportedly chanted “Trisha, Trisha”, prompting Udhayanidhi to respond with a remark that TVK alleged carried a vulgar double meaning.

Udhayanidhi denied that his remarks were vulgar and instead accused the state government of failing to secure Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water and effectively oppose the Mekedatu dam project.

MK Stalin alleged that the government had used the controversy to divert attention from the Cauvery issue.

“The government has failed to respond to those charges and has instead resorted to arresting Udhayanidhi to divert attention from the Cauvery issue,” he said.

Stalin also questioned the timing of the arrest, which came a day before the state Budget session, alleging that it was an attempt to prevent the Leader of the Opposition from participating in the Assembly.

Taking a direct swipe at Vijay, Stalin accused the Chief Minister of failing to fulfil his promises and described him as being “content to roam as a mere reels creator”.

The DMK alleged that the Vijay government had repeatedly resorted to arrests and restrictions against opposition politicians, students, farmers and other protesters.

Stalin cited action against political leaders and restrictions imposed on protests over NEET, farmers’ issues and demonstrations at Chennai’s Marina Beach to accuse the government of suppressing dissent.

The DMK also demanded the immediate release of its cadres arrested during statewide protests following the action against Udhayanidhi.

The controversial remark itself, however, has drawn criticism beyond the ruling TVK.

MDMK leader Durai Vaiko condemned Udhayanidhi’s remarks, saying the Cauvery protest was meant to highlight the plight of Tamil Nadu farmers and should not have been used to settle personal scores.

Singer and dubbing artist Chinmayi Sripada and actor and BJP Tamil Nadu Vice President Khushboo Sundar have also criticised the remarks.

TVK has accused Udhayanidhi of lowering the standards of political discourse and undermining the dignity of women, turning the episode into a major political confrontation ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s Budget session.