Chief of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, together with DMK MLAs, on the Tamil Nadu Meeting in Chennai. File
| Photograph Credit score: PTI
Chief of the Opposition and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief Udhayanidhi Stalin advised the Tamil Nadu Legislative Meeting on Friday (August 21, 2026) that every one the 59 DMK MLAs have determined to not avail themselves of the vehicles to be supplied by the State authorities.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had announced in the Assembly on August 19 that the State authorities would supply a automobile to each MLA, together with ₹75,000 a month in direction of its upkeep and gasoline prices and ₹25,000 a month in direction of appointing an assistant to every MLA.
Letter submitted to Speaker
Talking within the Meeting, Mr. Udhayanidhi, referring to the monetary constraints of the State exchequer highlighted by the Chief Minister earlier, mentioned primarily based on the instructions of DMK president M.Ok. Stalin, the DMK MLAs have determined to not avail themselves of the vehicles to be supplied by the federal government. All of the DMK MLAs have signed a letter to this impact and submitted it to the federal government by way of the Speaker.
Mr. Udhayanidhi urged that automobiles needs to be supplied solely to MLAs who wanted them, making an allowance for the monetary standing declared by the members of their election affidavits.
‘Announcement made on precept of equality, TVK MLAs with vehicles received’t apply’
Minister for Public Works Aadhav Arjuna intervened and mentioned not solely among the newly-elected MLAs had been financially deprived, however some second-time MLAs additionally didn’t personal vehicles. He mentioned a VCK MLA was coming to the Meeting by bus. The Chief Minister’s announcement to offer vehicles to all MLAs was primarily based on the precept that every one members of the Home had been equal.
He mentioned a automobile was not a luxurious for an MLA however a primary requirement to fulfill individuals of their constituency. He mentioned TVK MLAs who already owned vehicles wouldn’t apply for presidency automobiles. Mr. Arjuna additionally mentioned even after “having two or three bungalows, the Chief of the Opposition utilized for dwelling within the authorities bungalow.”
Former Minister Ok.N. Nehru intervened and mentioned the Chief of the Opposition holds a rank equal to that of a Minister and was subsequently entitled to a authorities bungalow.
Received’t want govt. automobile: CPI
CPI MLA T. Ramachandran mentioned vehicles may very well be supplied to those that didn’t have them, and his get together’s place was that they don’t want the federal government automobile. PMK MLA A. Ganesh Kumar mentioned the federal government also needs to search the opinion of MLAs earlier than offering the automobiles.
No political motive: Udhayanidhi
Mr. Udhayanidhi mentioned the choice of the DMK to surrender vehicles was not taken for political causes. “For the reason that authorities assumed workplace, it has been saying that there’s a extreme monetary constraint on the exchequer. Our stand is that we don’t want a automobile. My suggestion is that vehicles could also be supplied primarily based on the wants of the respective MLAs,” he mentioned.
Minister for Minorities Welfare A.M. Shahjahan mentioned throughout the tenure of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in energy, panchayat union chairpersons had been supplied vehicles. Mr. Nehru mentioned the duties of MLAs and native physique representatives had been totally different.
Mr. Arjuna mentioned individuals in a number of locations public had complained previously that that they had by no means even seen their MLAs of their constituencies and offering a automobile would assist the MLAs to effectively train their capabilities.
Printed – August 21, 2026 03:13 pm IST
