Chennai: Opposition leader Udhayanidhi on Monday accused Chief Minister Vijay of making a series of “baseless and false” allegations against the DMK, claiming the remarks were made under the assumption that the DMK was still in power in Tamil Nadu.
His comments came after DMK MLAs staged a walkout from the Assembly, protesting that they were not allowed to speak. Speaking to reporters outside, Udhayanidhi said he had raised multiple issues during last Thursday’s debate on the police, and claimed he had explained—“with evidence”—how law and order had deteriorated during the 116 days of the ruling party’s tenure.
Udhayanidhi alleged that the Chief Minister continued to level accusations but did not allow the opposition an opportunity to respond. He said the Speaker initially agreed to give them time, but later refused, prompting the DMK to listen to the Chief Minister’s speech fully and then walk out as a mark of protest.
He also claimed he sought permission to raise issues including alleged drug trafficking involving members of the ruling party and two murders in Chennai that he said occurred in broad daylight, but was not allowed to speak. He further questioned the Chief Minister’s moral authority to speak about corruption, stating that no DMK leaders, MLAs or MPs had been convicted in corruption cases, while referring to cases he said were pending against the Chief Minister and the Public Works Department.
Udhayanidhi additionally questioned the ruling party’s credibility by citing the inclusion of certain former ministers in its ranks, and referred to a claim made by a Muslim League MLA that support to form the government had been sought with “boxes of money.”
