Chennai: The DMK and the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Friday exchanged accusations over the law and order situation in the state, and clashed over the national anthem being played twice during the governor's address in the assembly.
DMK Accuses Chief Minister of Silence on Crimes Against Women
During the motion of thanks to the governor's address, DMK MLA S Austin accused Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay of remaining silent on rising crimes against women and children. “People who voted for change are now regretting,” he said.
TVK Minister Defends Chief Minister's Approach
In response, Public Works Department Minister Aadhav Arjuna said the Chief Minister knew “when to speak and what to speak.” Arjuna noted that Vijay spoke for only a few minutes in Kolathur. “And, what happened there,” he asked, alluding to former Chief Minister M K Stalin’s defeat. DMK legislators condemned the remark.
DMK Alleges TVK Used Social Media to Win Power
Austin then alleged that TVK came to power merely by utilizing social media and said it was unjust to compare Vijay to former chief ministers such as C N Annadurai and M G Ramachandran. Intervening again, Aadhav said the opposition was belittling their “historic” victory. “Don’t provoke us,” he cautioned, adding that they are capable of giving a befitting reply.
School Education Minister Responds to Drug Trafficking Charges
School Education Minister A Rajmohan joined the debate to respond to Austin’s charges that Chief Minister Vijay’s order to establish a special anti-narcotics task force remained only on paper while drugs flowed freely. He said 4,000 anti-social elements, including drug peddlers and habitual offenders, were arrested so far, while contraband worth ₹10.56 crore was confiscated and destroyed.
DMK Alleges TVK-BJP Understanding
Former DMK minister and Kunnam MLA S S Sivasankar said Thursday’s events revealed a TVK-BJP understanding. He pointed to the governor’s social media post expressing immense satisfaction, and Speaker J C D Prabhakar thanking the governor for the smooth conduct of proceedings. “This has confirmed what we said in the past that there is understanding between the two of you,” the minister said.
Speaker and Ministers Debate National Anthem Issue
Speaker Prabhakar said one should not aggravate issues again or cause undesirable consequences through unnecessary criticism. He said the TVK government had the resolve to resist any compulsion to render any other song. Intervening, Aadhav said Vijay rejected a demand for Vande Mataram and ensured Tamil Thaai Vazhthu was sung, proving the government’s commitment to state rights and C N Annadurai’s principle of state autonomy. “But the first-day agenda did not list the national anthem at the beginning,” former DMK minister E V Velu noted.
DMK Says TVK Repackaged Previous Policies
Sivasankar said the TVK government’s address read out by the governor merely repackaged DMK’s positions on NEET, the three-language formula, and the two-language policy. He added that action on liquor outlets and drug trafficking was not new, and the Singappen task force was introduced with new labels.
