Udhayanidhi Stalin Calls Arrest a 'Comedy' by 'Circus Government' After Release
Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu and senior DMK leader, was released late on Tuesday evening after hours of questioning by police in Thanjavur. He was questioned over remarks he made about actor Trisha Krishnan during a speech on the Cauvery water dispute. Immediately after his release, Stalin launched a sharp attack on the ruling TVK government, describing his arrest as a 'comedy' and calling it a 'circus government'. He also referred to actor-politician Vijay as a 'dummy Chief Minister'.
The questioning stemmed from a speech Stalin delivered in Thanjavur, where he was interrupted by chants of 'Trisha, Trisha' from the audience. He then made a comment that the TVK claimed carried a vulgar double meaning, accusing him of lowering the standards of political discourse and showing disrespect to women. The TVK has demanded action, leading to the police questioning and subsequent release.
Speaking to supporters after emerging from the police station, Stalin dismissed the arrest as an attempt to divert attention from what he called the 'real issue' — the TVK government's failure to address the Cauvery water conflict. He alleged that he was taken away 'like a terrorist' and said he had listed out the government's failures on farmers, the Mekedatu project, and the Cauvery dispute. He contrasted his father and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's record, noting that on June 12 every year, water was released continuously from Mettur dam for farmers during his tenure. 'It has been five months but the TVK government has not got water for farmers,' he said, adding that the TVK was not qualified to speak against the Karnataka Congress.
Stalin also defended his original remarks, saying his speech was 'subjected to copy-paste and delivered to the national media'. He asserted he had no intention to hurt anyone, especially women. 'My family did not bring me up like that. I am married. I live with my wife. I have sisters... I did not speak with bad intentions,' he said, expressing concern that his words could be misunderstood by some.
The DMK leader declared he was not afraid of arrest and said he would respond legally. 'I am the grandson of Kalaignar... son of Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin... I am not scared of arrest. We will deal with this legally,' he said, referring to his grandfather and father. His release was met with a hero's welcome from supporters, who gathered outside the police station with DMK flags.
The incident has intensified the political confrontation between the DMK and the TVK in Tamil Nadu, with both parties trading accusations. The TVK has maintained that Stalin's remarks were demeaning to women and unworthy of a political leader, while the DMK has framed the action against him as political vendetta. The matter is likely to be pursued in the courts, with Stalin indicating he would fight the case legally.
