Chennai, 21 August (H.S.): Tamil Nadu Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Friday challenged Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to open the files he claimed contained evidence of irregularities during the previous DMK government and initiate action without further delay.

Responding to Vijay’s warning in the Legislative Assembly that files concerning inquiries into three departments were on his table, Udhayanidhi questioned why the Chief Minister was hesitant to make their contents public.

“Does an astrologer have to tell you when to open the file? The Chief Minister says a file is on his table and warns us not to make him open it. Please open it and take action. What are you afraid of? Are you waiting for an auspicious time?” he asked.

Udhayanidhi said the DMK would not be intimidated by repeated threats of investigations or punitive action. If the government possessed evidence, it should place the material before the House and proceed in accordance with the law, he added.

Vijay had earlier told the Assembly that the Finance Minister’s reference to files concerning inquiries into three departments had not been made casually. He said the files were on his table, contained evidence and would be opened and released “at the appropriate time.” The government would decide when and how the information should be presented to the public, he said.

Udhayanidhi also accused ruling-party members of responding to the Opposition with unsubstantiated allegations instead of facts.

“They keep singing songs in the Assembly. With so many songs being performed, we are left wondering whether we have come to the Legislative Assembly or a Super Singer show,” he remarked.

He also criticised the practice of expunging Opposition remarks from the Assembly record while allowing video clips of the same speeches to circulate on social media.

“You deleted what I said from the minutes, but it was released as reels on social media. Expunging such remarks from the official record has therefore become meaningless,” Udhayanidhi said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman