Udhayanidhi Stalin denies double-meaning remark on Trisha, calls TVK fascist

Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday reiterated that he did not make any double-meaning remark about actor Trisha, two weeks after his arrest. Speaking at a DMK legal wing event, he said he only said 'water should flow in the Cauvery' at a farmers' protest. He recalled police arriving at his Chennai home on August 2 and taking him to Thanjavur for questioning. Udhayanidhi said he initially thought he was being arrested for calling the Vijay government 'shameless' and a 'dummy Chief Minister', but police had no answer.

The DMK leader accused the TVK government of functioning like a 'fascist regime', alleging it arrests people for speaking, posting on social media, or protesting. He claimed the government is 'deeply insecure' and targeting Gen-Z youth to create fear. Udhayanidhi also mocked TVK MLAs as 'jokers', saying most people do not know their names or portfolios. The Hindustan Times reports that the DMK legal wing passed a resolution condemning Udhayanidhi's arrest and the government's failure to act against those allegedly defaming him online.

Udhayanidhi called on party lawyers to expose government irregularities, including alleged corruption in appointing government pleaders, and to follow up on public grievances in court. He said the legal team must work with unity until party president M K Stalin returns as Chief Minister.