Chennai , 07 September (H.S.): Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin accused Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of avoiding questions about Tamil Nadu’s law-and-order situation and levelling unproven corruption allegations against the DMK during his Assembly reply on Monday.

DMK legislators walked out after the Speaker allegedly denied them an opportunity to respond to Vijay’s charges. The confrontation followed the debate on grants for the police department, during which the Chief Minister cited Enforcement Directorate allegations involving the previous DMK government.

Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Udhayanidhi said the Opposition had submitted evidence showing that law and order had deteriorated during the TVK government’s first 114 days. He alleged that Vijay devoted only 10 minutes of his 45-minute address to policing and used the remaining time to attack the DMK.

Udhayanidhi said party legislators repeatedly sought permission to answer the accusations but were denied the opportunity, prompting the walkout. He described Vijay’s address as rehearsed and filled with cinematic punchlines while failing to answer substantive questions.

The Opposition Leader also alleged that valuable mineral resources were under the control of Vijay’s aide Vishnu and said he would soon release evidence supporting the charge.

Questioning Vijay’s references to events from the 1970s, including the Maintenance of Internal Security Act and the Sarkaria Commission, Udhayanidhi said the Chief Minister should instead address recent crimes, including a daylight murder in Chennai.

He maintained that the Enforcement Directorate’s accusations had not been proved in court. Referring to the recent raid on former minister K.N. Nehru’s residence, he alleged that it was intended to intimidate the Opposition. Nothing incriminating was recovered during the operation, which continued for more than six hours, he claimed.

Udhayanidhi said the DMK would continue raising questions about governance and public safety inside and outside the legislature despite investigations or political pressure on behalf of people.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman