NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Assembly witnessed a heated exchange on Thursday as Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin targeted chief minister C Joseph Vijay over the state’s law and order situation, alleging that it had “hit rock bottom” under the TVK government and that the administration had failed to introduce a single new scheme in its first 116 days.The confrontation escalated when chief minister Vijay challenged the Opposition DMK to remain in the House on Monday to hear his detailed response to the allegations instead of staging a walkout.Intervening during the debate, Vijay asked Speaker J C D Prabhakar to seek a commitment from DMK members that they would remain in the House during his address. He assured the Opposition that he would respond point-by-point to the issues raised during the ongoing Assembly session.“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. I have one request through you – no one should get up and run away.”The exchange came during a debate on law and order in Tamil Nadu, with Udhayanidhi Stalin questioning Vijay, who holds the police portfolio, over the functioning of the state administration.“I want answers from CM Vijay, who holds the Police portfolio, on the collapse of law and order. It has been 116 days since this Government came to power. It has not introduced a single scheme; instead, it is neither endorsing schemes brought by the DMK regime nor scrapping them.”Udhayanidhi alleged that the TVK government was relying on schemes introduced by the previous DMK regime rather than bringing forward new initiatives. He also accused the ruling government of a contradiction between its promises and subsequent announcements.“The Tamil Nadu Government was in top gear when the DMK was in power, but it is now in reverse gear under TVK rule. There is a contradiction between promises and announcements. The TVK Government is concentrating only on promoting reel content,” he said.The DMK leader also alleged that eight custodial deaths had taken place during the first 116 days of the TVK government. He further accused the administration of selectively acting against political leaders and said Vijay had not directly responded to questions raised by Opposition parties.“Eight custodial deaths have occurred in the first 116 days of TVK rule. For the first time in history, the TVK Government locked down the Marina Beach in Chennai to curb a students’ protest against NEET. Law and order has hit rock bottom in Tamil Nadu. When leaders make allegedly defamatory remarks against the CM, cases are registered, but no cases are filed against BJP leaders. CM Vijay has never responded directly to any questions raised by the Opposition parties,” Stalin said.Udhayanidhi also raised the issue of drug enforcement, questioning the TVK government’s criticism of the previous DMK administration’s record in tackling drug proliferation.
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He argued that if the previous government’s efforts had been inadequate, the current administration would not have promoted two senior police officers who had headed departments responsible for tackling the issue during the DMK’s tenure.The Opposition leader also alleged a rise in POCSO cases and other crimes in the state. He said the previous DMK government had established special committees and standard operating procedures to support victims and ensure swift justice.The remarks prompted Vijay to intervene and challenge the DMK members to stay in the Assembly for his response on Monday.The chief minister said he would address every question raised by the Opposition and asked them not to leave the House before hearing his reply.The confrontation between the chief minister and the Leader of the Opposition comes amid a broader political battle over law and order and the performance of the TVK government during its first months in office.
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