DMK MLA GR Markendiyan arrested over alleged threat to CM Vijay

Chennai: DMK MLA G R Markendiyan was arrested on Monday over alleged defamatory and threatening remarks made against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

Following his arrest, DMK supporters staged a protest, raising slogans against the police action.

Markendiyan is currently being questioned at the Tuticorin Superintendent of Police's office.

The case relates to remarks he allegedly made during a public meeting on 18 July. Responding to the Chief Minister's comments about his "search for father" — widely interpreted as an indirect jibe at DMK president M K Stalin following his electoral defeat in the Kolathur constituency — Markendiyan allegedly made threatening statements directed at the Chief Minister.

According to the complaint, the MLA said: "In the Assembly, the Chief Minister says he is searching for the father. Shameless Chief Minister. We will take care of you in the Assembly. He says he will lock the doors of the Assembly. If he locks them, his bones will be crushed. Let him lock the Assembly and see."

A functionary of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) subsequently lodged a police complaint, following which a case was registered.

Earlier this month, Tiruchendur DMK MLA Anitha Radhakrishnan was also arrested over remarks made against the Chief Minister. She was granted bail and released on the same day.