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The Tamil Nadu Assembly witnessed nearly two hours of heated exchanges on Thursday, September 3, as the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) clashed over the state’s law and order situation.
Speaking during the debate on the demands for grants for the Police and Fire and Rescue Services Departments, Udhayanidhi alleged that around 550 grave criminal incidents had been reported during the government’s first 116 days in office.
He said the figure included 200 murders, 300 cases of sexual offences against women and children, eight custodial deaths and 10 caste killings.
“The government says it has not even completed six months in office. That argument may apply to the implementation of electoral promises. I do not dispute that. But it cannot be used as an excuse when it comes to the law and order situation in the State,” he said.
The DMK leader also alleged that the government had failed to take action against TVK functionaries accused of involvement in criminal cases.
He referred to a sexual assault case in Thoothukudi in which two persons, including a TVK functionary, were accused.
Udhayanidhi alleged that an MLA from the ruling party had attempted to broker a settlement between the survivor and one of the accused and questioned why action had not been taken against the MLA.
Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources N Anand rejected the allegation. He said a case was registered as soon as the complaint was received and both accused persons were arrested. The TVK functionary was also removed from the party, he said.
Anand added that a probe had found that the MLA was not involved in the case. He also took a swipe at the DMK, alleging that the previous government would take more than 10 days to register a case when lower-level functionaries were involved.
The remarks triggered an uproar, with DMK legislators objecting and TVK MLAs rising in support of the minister.
Udhayanidhi flags POCSO cases, police panel recommendations
Udhayanidhi also alleged an increase in cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and questioned the government’s response to crimes against women and children.
He said the previous DMK government had constituted special committees and framed standard operating procedures to support victims of sexual offences and ensured that cases were dealt with swiftly.
He also demanded that the TVK government implement the remaining recommendations of the Fifth Police Commission.
According to Udhayanidhi, the commission had made nearly 800 recommendations, of which 86 were implemented during the previous DMK regime. He urged the government to implement the remaining long-term recommendations in phases.
He raised the issue of Muslim prisoners not being granted bail or parole. Public Works Department Minister Aadhav Arjuna countered that it was the DMK which had approached the Supreme Court, claiming that the release of Muslim prisoners could create law and order issues.
Aadhav Arjuna also accused previous governments of concealing crime statistics. He cited the figure of 1,597 murders being shown in 2020, 2021 and 2022, spanning the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and DMK governments, and alleged that the same number had been mentioned to hide the actual crime situation.
The allegation led to another heated exchange between the treasury and Opposition benches.
‘Govt more focused on reels than schemes’
Udhayanidhi also took aim at the TVK government’s functioning, alleging that it was more concerned about its social media presence than the implementation of its schemes.
“The functioning of this government appears to be focused more on ensuring that the reels posted by it on social media platforms reach the public than on ensuring that its schemes reach the intended beneficiaries,” he said.
He further alleged that the government had cancelled several projects launched by the previous DMK regime during its first 116 days in office, either by changing their names or scrapping them.
According to Udhayanidhi, Tamil Nadu had been moving “in top gear” under the DMK government but was now moving “in reverse gear”.
Vijay tells Opposition not to ‘run away’
As the debate continued, Udhayanidhi urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who holds the Police and Fire and Rescue Services portfolios, to directly respond to the allegations instead of leaving Ministers to defend the government.
Udhayanidhi told the treasury benches that the Chief Minister had three days to prepare his response and asked him to come prepared.
Speaker JCD Prabhakaran said Vijay was closely following the proceedings and appeared ready to respond. Udhayanidhi then said that if the Chief Minister was already prepared, he could answer immediately.
Vijay subsequently intervened and said he would respond to all the questions raised by the Opposition on Monday.
“Honourable Speaker, for all the questions raised by the honourable members, I will provide a clear explanation when I come on Monday. Even if I am not here, I will receive information about who is asking what questions. I will provide a clear answer to everything,” he said.
He then added, “I have one request through you — no one should get up and run away.”
The remark triggered another round of exchanges. Vijay left the Assembly shortly after making the statement.
Udhayanidhi immediately hit back, asking why the Chief Minister himself had left the House after telling the Opposition not to run away.
The debate is expected to continue when Chief Minister Vijay responds to the Opposition’s allegations on Monday.