DMK president M.K. Stalin. File
| Photo Credit: E. Lakshmi Narayanan
DMK president M.K. Stalin, on Tuesday (August 4, 2026), alleged the arrest of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was a diversionary tactic by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, which, he claimed, had been exposed over its handling of the Cauvery water dispute.
In a statement, Mr. Stalin alleged the government had disregarded Mr. Udhayanidhi’s constitutional position as the Leader of the Opposition by taking him to Thanjavur and attempting to intimidate him through the registration of cases under various provisions.
“The Assembly session, during which the State Budget is to be presented, begins on August 5. The government did not want the Leader of the Opposition, who enjoys a Cabinet rank, to be present in the House,” he alleged.
Recalling the submissions made by the TVK government’s counsel before the Madras High Court that there was no intention to arrest Mr. Udhayanidhi and that he would be released after questioning, Mr. Stalin questioned the government’s actions.
“If the intention was merely to interrogate him, it could have been done in Chennai. What was the need to take him to Thanjavur? Why were sections invoked that would make it difficult for him to secure bail? The government was forced to retreat in the face of public protests. The High Court’s direction to release him today itself is a slap in the face of the TVK government’s fascist tendencies,” he said.
Accusing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of pursuing a campaign against those who criticised him and his Ministers, Mr. Stalin alleged the government had arrested four persons for social media posts critical of the administration.
He added former Minister Anitha R. Radhakrishnan and incumbent Vilathikulam MLA Markandayan had been arrested, that students had been prevented from staging protests against NEET, and that access to Marina Beach had been denied to protesters.
“Mr. Udhayanidhi’s arrest is part of the government’s broader attempt to suppress the Opposition,” he alleged.
Mr. Stalin said it was regrettable that some political leaders had condemned Mr. Udhayanidhi without first verifying what he had actually said. “He did not use obscene language. Condemning him without verifying his speech only serves to divert attention from the real issue,” he said.
Describing Mr. Udhayanidhi as someone who would not ordinarily use objectionable language, Mr. Stalin added: “Even if he had inadvertently uttered such a word, he would have apologised for it.”
He also demanded the immediate release of DMK cadres who had been arrested while staging protests seeking Mr. Udhayanidhi’s release. “Arrogance paves the way for destruction,” Mr. Stalin warned.
Published – August 04, 2026 05:12 pm IST
