‘Dummy Chief Minister’: After son Udhayanidhi’s arrest, MK Stalin launches ‘Joker cabinet’ attack

Chennai: Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was taken into police custody on Tuesday from his Chennai residence in connection with a case registered over remarks allegedly made during a DMK protest in Thanjavur.

The case was filed following a complaint alleging that Udhayanidhi made disparaging comments about a woman actor during a speech at a protest over the Cauvery water issue.

Police officials took him to Thanjavur for further proceedings. DMK workers gathered outside his residence, leading to a tense situation between party members and police personnel.

M.K. Stalin attacks TVK government

DMK president M.K. Stalin condemned the action against his son and alleged that the arrest was an attempt to shift focus from the Cauvery water dispute. He claimed that the government had failed to address concerns raised over Cauvery water availability and Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project.

In his statement, Stalin said, “An inept dummy Chief Minister can't bring Cauvery water, can't even speak up to stop the Mekedatu dam; farmers are shedding tears in agony, yet ministers and the Chief Minister are the ones weeping over the movie he acted in—a Joker cabinet has taken hold in Tamil Nadu.”

He further alleged that the police action against Udhayanidhi was an attempt to intimidate the Opposition. Referring to the arrest, Stalin said the government was trying to prevent the Leader of Opposition from attending the Assembly session and questioned why Udhayanidhi was taken to Thanjavur if the purpose was only inquiry. He also said, “Arrogance paves the way for destruction; persistent arrogance hastens destruction,” while demanding the release of DMK workers arrested during protests.

Stalin alleged that farmers were facing difficulties while the government was focusing on political issues instead of resolving the water dispute.

Assembly session timing questioned

Stalin also questioned the timing of the police action, pointing out that the Tamil Nadu Assembly was scheduled to meet the next day for the presentation of the state Budget.

He alleged that the move was intended to prevent Udhayanidhi Stalin, as Leader of Opposition, from attending the Assembly session.

The government, however, informed the Madras High Court that there was no intention to keep Udhayanidhi under arrest and that he would be released after questioning.

Court intervenes in case

The Madras High Court heard an urgent petition filed by Udhayanidhi Stalin regarding the police action.

The court asked the government to inform police not to take coercive action until the matter was heard.

The FIR against Udhayanidhi includes multiple sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and Information Technology Act.

The controversy comes amid continuing political debate over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Opposition parties have repeatedly raised concerns over water availability, farmers’ issues and the proposed Mekedatu dam, while governments on both sides have maintained their positions on the matter.

The arrest has triggered fresh confrontation between the DMK and the TVK government, with both sides trading allegations.

While DMK leaders have accused the government of political targeting, authorities have maintained that the police action was based on a registered complaint and legal proceedings.