MK Stalin condemned the TVK government on the arrest of DMK MLA Markandeyan. He said the government is targeting the opposition and using arrests to divert attention from its shortcomings. He called it undemocratic.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [भारत]July 20 (ANI): Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin on Monday condemned the arrest of Vilathikulam MLA Markandeyan over his alleged remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay. He accused the ruling Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) government of targeting political opponents and violating democratic rights.
In a post on Twitter, Stalin alleged that the TVK government was acting without democratic values and using the arrests to divert attention from government-related issues. He further said that former ministers, MLAs and social media supporters, who highlight the shortcomings of the government, are being “targeted” by the ruling party.
Stalin made serious allegations
Referring to recent court observations, he claimed that the judiciary has questioned the inclusion of unrelated criminal charges even in defamation cases. Stalin also alleged that after his arrest, Markandeyan was not allowed to meet his lawyer and supporters and claimed that those who tried to give him medicines were also prevented from meeting him. It is further alleged that their basic legal and human rights have been violated.
Questioning the government’s actions, the DMK president alleged that while it has failed to act in other cases, it is immediately arresting political opponents over critical comments. He also urged the police to act according to the law and their conscience instead of following “illegal orders” from those in power. Markandeyan was taken into custody after he allegedly made controversial remarks against Chief Minister Vijay. Police are continuing their investigation in this matter.
DMK warned of retaliatory action
DMK leader TKS Elangovan also reacted to Markandeyan’s arrest, saying the party will investigate whether leaders and MLAs of the ruling Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) have made similar comments against DMK leaders and will take legal action if necessary. “No one is allowed to comment on others. It is fair. If they have arrested our MLA, we are looking at what TVK ministers and MLAs have said about our leader. And if they have spoken ill, we will file a police complaint and go to court,” Elangovan told ANI.
He said the party will see how many TVK MLAs and ministers will face similar action. He said, “Let’s see how many MLAs and ministers are arrested for saying such things.”
Taking aim at the ruling party, Elangovan alleged that its leaders lack political experience and are trying to show their authority. He said, “This is a bunch of people who don’t know any politics. They want to show their power, that’s it… this is TVK. People will soon know what TVK is.” (ANI)
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