Published Sep 07, 2026 | 1:58 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 07, 2026 | 1:58 PM
Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin.
DMK MLA and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay of making baseless allegations against the DMK in the Assembly and alleged that Speaker JCD Prabhakar denied the party an opportunity to respond.
Vijay, in his speech in the Assembly, had cited an Enforcement Directorate document and alleged that even former Chief Minister MK Stalin and Udhayanidhi had benefited from a commission on tenders paid towards ‘party funds’.
Udhayanidhi said the DMK had raised 15 questions before the government and had demanded direct answers. However, he alleged that the Chief Minister did not answer their questions and instead levelled a series of allegations against the DMK.
He said DMK members repeatedly sought permission from the Speaker to respond to the Chief Minister’s remarks. According to Udhayanidhi, the Speaker initially agreed to allow him to speak after the Chief Minister completed his address, but changed his decision within minutes.
“A note came to the Speaker, and he immediately changed his stand, saying that he could not give us an opportunity,” Udhayanidhi alleged.
He said the DMK waited until the Chief Minister completed his speech before staging the walkout.
Udhayanidhi alleged that none of the questions raised by the DMK, particularly those concerning law and order and allegations against TVK members, were answered by the Chief Minister. He accused Vijay of relying on “punch dialogues, diversion and tactics” instead of addressing the questions raised by the Opposition.
Taking a dig at the Chief Minister’s speech, Udhayanidhi said it contained “cinema dialogues and acting” and was delivered merely for its “release”.
He also criticised Vijay’s references to the Sarkaria Commission, alleging that the Chief Minister had spent three days preparing and memorising his speech before delivering it in the Assembly.
Udhayanidhi further alleged that the Enforcement Directorate’s accusations against DMK leaders had not been proved and said no DMK leader had been convicted in connection with the corruption allegations cited by the Chief Minister.
Referring to the recent Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption searches involving former minister KN Nehru, Udhayanidhi said the DMK was prepared to face the cases legally.
He also levelled allegations against the government over mining activities, claiming that Vishnu Reddy, Sujay Reddy and Anil Reddy were allegedly controlling government-linked mining operations. He said he would release evidence to substantiate the allegations.
Udhayanidhi also accused the Assembly Speaker of acting in a biased manner and alleged that the Speaker was repeatedly siding with the government.
“We condemn the Speaker for acting in a one-sided manner,” he said.
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(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
