CM Vijay Urges DMK Members Not to Walk Out Ahead of Monday Assembly Reply

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay challenged the opposition DMK in the Legislative Assembly in Chennai on Thursday, asking its members to remain seated in the House on Monday to hear his comprehensive reply rather than stage a walkout.

Intervening during a debate on the administration's handling of law and order, Chief Minister Vijay requested Speaker J C D Prabhakar to secure a firm commitment from DMK legislators that they would stay in their seats throughout his planned address. Assuring lawmakers of a detailed response, Vijay stated that he would provide a point-by-point explanation to every question raised by the opposition during the ongoing session.

The intervention occurred amid a heated exchange initiated by Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, who sought to corner the ruling TVK administration. Leading the opposition charge, Udhayanidhi questioned the government's criticism of the previous DMK administration's drug control record. He argued that if the previous regime's efforts had been deficient, the TVK government would not have promoted two senior IPS officers who had headed those enforcement departments during the DMK's tenure.

Udhayanidhi also alleged an increase in crimes and a rise in Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases across the state, noting that the previous government had formed special committees and standard operating procedures to assist victims and speed up justice. Resuming his speech later, he raised concerns over the handling of democratic dissent and student demonstrations, including the suppression of anti-NEET protests at Marina Beach, and noted that the Chief Minister left the House after deferring answers to Monday.

Addressing the House directly, Vijay had stated: "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."

Defending the government, Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna challenged the crime data released by the previous DMK government led by M K Stalin, specifically pointing to murder figures from 2020 and 2021. Arjuna claimed the former government concealed crime statistics, while asserting that the present administration reports incidents transparently. When opposition protests broke out, Arjuna remarked that the opposition was afraid of the truth.

Following the disruptions, Speaker Prabhakar called for order and gave the floor to School Education Minister S Rajmohan. Addressing opposition criticism about his political background and comparisons to television debates, Rajmohan acknowledged his past work as a debater supporting the DMK, adding that party leader Vijay had enabled him to transition from a common person into an elected minister.