Chennai: DMK opposition leader Udhayanidhi told the Assembly that the party’s 59 MLAs will not accept the government-provided cars announced by the Chief Minister. He said the decision was taken as per party leader Stalin’s direction, citing the government’s own repeated claims of severe financial strain.
Udhayanidhi argued that if the state exchequer is under pressure, spending on new vehicles and related perks is avoidable. He suggested that vehicles should instead be provided only to those who do not own cars and to economically weaker representatives, as indicated in their election affidavits.
Minister Aadhav Arjuna defended the decision to offer cars, saying the announcement was made on the principle that all MLAs are equal. He also countered the opposition’s criticism by pointing to the practice of providing official accommodation to the opposition leader, and said the debate was being framed politically.
The exchange drew responses from multiple parties. CPI and PMK members said vehicles should be given only to those who lack them or are economically disadvantaged, while other speakers cited past instances of vehicles being provided to local body heads and argued that official facilities follow established convention.
