Udhayanidhi Stalin released after arrest, DMK accuses Tamil Nadu government of political vendetta
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Senior DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin was released on Tuesday evening after nearly four hours in police custody following his arrest over his remarks about actor Trisha Krishnan.
Addressing supporters after his release in Thanjavur, Udhayanidhi described his arrest as a "comedy" by a "circus government".
The DMK launched a sharp attack on the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, accusing it of using arrests to divert attention from key public issues. DMK president M K Stalin alleged that the arrest was intended to shift focus from the Cauvery water dispute and the Mekedatu dam issue.
"The government has failed to respond to those charges and has instead resorted to arresting Udhayanidhi to divert attention from the Cauvery issue," M K Stalin said. He also claimed the timing of the arrest, a day before the state budget session, was aimed at keeping the Leader of the Opposition out of the Assembly.
He further accused Chief Minister Vijay's government of repeatedly arresting critics, opposition leaders, students and protesters, alleging that protests against NEET, farmers' demonstrations and other political activities had been suppressed.
The DMK also demanded the immediate release of party workers arrested during statewide protests.
The controversy stems from a speech delivered by Udhayanidhi in Thanjavur on the Cauvery water dispute, during which members of the audience chanted "Trisha, Trisha". Udhayanidhi responded with a remark that the ruling party alleged carried a vulgar double meaning.
Udhayanidhi denied that his speech was vulgar.
The remarks have drawn criticism from several quarters. TVK accused him of lowering the standards of political discourse and disrespecting women.
MDMK leader Durai Vaiko condemned the comments, saying the event was meant to discuss the Cauvery issue and the problems faced by Tamil Nadu's farmers. Singer Chinmayi Sripada and actor and BJP Tamil Nadu vice-president Khushboo Sundar also criticised Udhayanidhi's remarks.