Chennai, 04 August (H.S.): DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday accused the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government of using the arrest of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin as a diversionary tactic to deflect attention from mounting criticism over its handling of the Cauvery water dispute.

In a strongly worded statement, Stalin alleged that the government had disregarded Udhayanidhi’s constitutional position as Leader of the Opposition by taking him from Chennai to Thanjavur for questioning and registering cases against him under multiple provisions.

He claimed the timing of the police action was significant as the Tamil Nadu Assembly is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, August 5, when the State Budget will be presented.

Stalin alleged that the government wanted to prevent Udhayanidhi, who holds Cabinet rank as Leader of the Opposition, from attending the crucial Assembly proceedings and questioning the administration on the floor of the House.

The DMK chief also referred to submissions made on behalf of the State government before the Madras High Court that the police did not intend to seek Udhayanidhi’s judicial remand and that he would be released after questioning.

Questioning the need to take Udhayanidhi to Thanjavur, Stalin said the police could have conducted the inquiry in Chennai if questioning alone had been their objective. He also questioned why several legal provisions were invoked in the case, alleging that they were intended to make securing bail difficult.

Stalin claimed the government was forced to change course following protests by DMK cadres and opposition from various quarters. He described the High Court’s direction that Udhayanidhi be released the same day as a setback to what he termed the TVK government’s “fascist tendencies”.

The DMK president further accused Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s administration of attempting to silence political criticism through police action.

He alleged that the government had already arrested four people over social media posts critical of the Chief Minister and his Ministers, claiming that such actions reflected growing intolerance towards dissent.

Stalin maintained that the arrest would not deter the DMK from raising questions over the Cauvery dispute or challenging the government inside and outside the Assembly.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman