Chennai police book DMK councillor over derogatory remarks against CM Vijay

Chennai police have registered a case against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) councillor Sudha Deenadayalan and party functionary Muralidharan over alleged derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, following a complaint by a ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionary, police said on Tuesday, October 20.

According to The Hindu, Udhayakumar, the TVK’s Harbour area secretary, lodged a complaint at the Esplanade police station on Sunday, October 18, alleging that Deenadayalan had used objectionable language against Vijay during a party event held at Raja Annamalai Mandram in Chennai on October 7. The event was organised by Muralidharan, the DMK’s Harbour area secretary.

Deenadayalan, who is the DMK’s Chennai East district women’s wing organiser and councillor representing Ward 95 in Villivakkam, presided over the event and addressed the gathering. The complainant alleged that her remarks were intended to provoke conflict between groups and create tension among the public.

A video of the speech circulated on social media, triggering protests by TVK members. In the video, Deenadayalan is purportedly heard calling Vijay a “dog” while responding to what she alleged were remarks by the Chief Minister about the appearance of DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. She also compared the appearances of the two leaders.

The remarks sparked criticism from TVK leaders, who accused the DMK of allowing personal attacks against the Chief Minister at a public event. DMK MP Kanimozhi and Chennai Mayor R Priya were among those present on the stage, according to media reports.

TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna criticised the DMK over the remarks, accusing the opposition party of turning political platforms into spaces for personal attacks. He called for legal action against Deenadayalan. The DMK, meanwhile, shared a video that purportedly showed Kanimozhi and former minister P K Sekar Babu advising the councillor to maintain political decorum.

On Tuesday, police had summoned Deenadayalan to appear for questioning. The report, citing Thanthi TV, said the case was registered against the councillor and the event organiser under three sections. 

The controversy comes amid heightened political exchanges between the TVK government and the DMK, which is now in the Opposition. Vijay was sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on May 10, 2026, after the TVK emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly election and secured the support needed to form the government. He became the first Chief Minister since 1967 who did not belong to either the DMK or the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).