DMK President MK Stalin has fiercely condemned Chief Minister Vijay and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government following the arrest of former Deputy Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition, Udhayanidhi Stalin. The arrest, which occurred on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, has ignited a political firestorm in Tamil Nadu.
Udhayanidhi Stalin was taken into custody over alleged "double-meaning" remarks, reportedly alluding to actor Trisha. However, MK Stalin vehemently rejected these claims, stating, "Udhayanidhi did not make any obscene remarks in his speech and did not refer to anyone." He accused certain political leaders of spreading misinformation without verification.
Cauvery Dispute at Core of Allegations
Stalin asserted that the arrest was not genuinely about Udhayanidhi's speech but a calculated move to divert public attention from the critical Cauvery river dispute. His statement began with a strong declaration: "Arrogance leads to destruction; continued arrogance accelerates destruction!"
The DMK chief highlighted that the arrest came just a day after the DMK organized a significant protest in Thanjavur. This demonstration targeted the TVK government's alleged failure to protect Tamil Nadu's rights over the Cauvery river and prevent Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam. Stalin claimed the large turnout at the protest underscored widespread public anger against the government's handling of the issue.
Questioning the Arrest Procedures
MK Stalin also raised serious questions about the procedures surrounding Udhayanidhi's arrest. He alleged that police arrived at Udhayanidhi's residence on Tuesday morning, arrested him, and transported him to Thanjavur, where multiple cases were filed against him. Stalin questioned the necessity of taking him to Thanjavur for an inquiry that "could have been done in Chennai itself."
The DMK President suggested that the action was an attempt to intimidate the Leader of the Opposition and keep him from attending the Assembly session, which was scheduled to convene on Wednesday for the state Budget presentation.
Madras High Court Intervenes
In a significant development, the Madras High Court issued a directive to the police, ordering Udhayanidhi Stalin's release "today after questioning," providing a measure of relief amidst the political tension.
Stalin further accused the Vijay government of a pattern of suppressing dissent since coming to power, citing previous actions against legislators Anita Radhakrishnan and Markandeyan, restrictions on NEET protests, and the denial of permission for a Dravidar Kazhagam rally. He described Udhayanidhi's arrest as a continuation of this alleged authoritarian trend.
Concluding his attack, MK Stalin criticized Chief Minister Vijay for acting merely as a "reels creator" and failing to fulfill election promises. He urged the Chief Minister to recognize his responsibilities and govern effectively.