‘Arrogance Will Lead to Destruction’: Stalin Launches Scathing Attack on TVK Following Udhayanidhi Stalin's Arrest

Chennai: DMK president and former Chief Minister M K Stalin criticised the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after Tamil Nadu Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, who was arrested in a case over an alleged derogatory remarks against women was released on station bail.

“Arrogance leads to destruction, and continued arrogance only accelerates that destruction,” Stalin said. "Ever since coming to power, Chief Minister Vijay has done nothing but arrest those who criticise him, his ministers, or his government. Arrests follow tweets or video statements," he added.

He alleged that the Tamil Nadu government had arrested Udhayanidhi to divert public attention from the Cauvery issue. Stalin also claimed that the arrest, carried out shortly before the state Budget Session, was part of an attempt to keep the Opposition Leader away from the Assembly.

Udhayanidhi was released on station bail following his arrest in connection with the alleged derogatory remark. The Madras High Court had directed that he be granted station bail. The court also accepted his bail application, directing him to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation and comply with all requirements of the probe.

Udhayanidhi was arrested by the Thanjavur East Police at his residence in Neelankarai on Tuesday morning. Following the arrest, DMK MPs staged a protest in the Well of the House in Parliament. Party workers also demonstrated in front of the Parliament entrance.

DMK workers stopped the police vehicle carrying Udhayanidhi and staged a major protest at the spot. As he was being taken away, Udhayanidhi said that he had not said anything wrong.

The government, however, maintained that the arrest was intended to protect women’s interests and stated that there was no need to remand him in custody.

The action was taken based on an official complaint filed by the women's wing of TVK and a letter submitted to the National Commission for Women.

The alleged remark was made during a protest organised in Thanjavur against the Tamil Nadu government over the Cauvery river water dispute. Udhayanidhi had said that instead of intervening to secure Cauvery water, which was a basic necessity for the people, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was focused on other matters.

After DMK workers standing below the stage shouted Trisha’s name, Udhayanidhi responded with a brief smile and made an alleged double entendre. He later attempted to clarify that he had been referring to the Cauvery river.