"Dummy Chief Minister": Udhayanidhi Stalin Tears Into Vijay After Release

Senior DMK leader and Tamil Nadu's Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, released late Tuesday evening after a bout of police questioning in Thanjavur over his comments on actor Trisha Krishnan, took the battle immediately to the enemy camp. 

Receiving a hero's welcome from his supporters after emerging from the police station, Stalin Junior said the arrest was a "comedy" by a "circus government" and called Vijay a "dummy Chief Minister".

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His arrest, he said, was meant to divert attention from the "real issue" which was the TVK government's inability to deliver the Cauvery water. 

Read: Udhayanidhi Stalin's Show Of Strength After Questioning Over 'Trisha' Remark

Alleging that he was taken away "like a terrorist," Udhayanidhi Stalin said he had "listed out the TVK government's failures" over farmers, the Mekedatu dam and the Cauvery water conflict. "When our leader was the Chief Minister, each year on June 12 water was released continuously from the Mettur dam for farmers. It has been five months but the TVK government has not got water for farmers... The TVK is not qualified to speak against the Karnataka Congress," he added.

The junior Stalin said he had "absolutely no intention" of disrespecting women.

"They cut, copied, and pasted my speech to claim I spoke inappropriately. Some have accused me of using double meaning. I spoke with only a single meaning: the farmers need water. I have absolutely no intention of disrespecting women. I view every mother and sister in Tamil Nadu as my own family," he clarified, expressing disappointment that even some allied political leaders had condemned him without verifying the full context of his speech.

Separately, in a post on X, Udhayanidhi Stalin declared that he would not be cowed down by false cases or intimidation.

Invoking his political lineage, he stated, "I am the grandson of Kalaignar and the son of M K Stalin. I am a cadre of the DMK. We do not fear these tactics. I am ready to face this legally. I will speak for the farmers a hundred more times".

He also expressed gratitude to the DMK cadres and alliance leaders who staged protests against his arrest, demanding the immediate release of those who were detained for demonstrating.

விவசாயிகளின் துயர் துடைக்க வக்கற்ற #SofaModel அரசு, பிரச்சினைகளை திசைதிருப்புவதற்காக என்னை கைது செய்திருக்கிறது.

தஞ்சை ஆர்ப்பாட்டத்தில் தேவையற்ற வார்த்தைகளை நான் பயன்படுத்தியதாக ஆளுங்கட்சியின் Abusive warriors-ஐ வைத்து என் மீது அவதூறு பரப்பினார்கள்.

பொய் வழக்குகளைப்பதிவுச்… pic.twitter.com/5KroOiDwp2

— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) August 4, 2026

TVK Hits Back

His comments were quickly rebutted by TVK's Adhava Arjuna, who said the government was not motivated by politics or revenge. 

Read: The Charges Udhayanidhi Stalin Faces Over Remarks On Actor Trisha

"Why do we have to take political revenge? Our leader has won in elections single-handedly, breaking 60 years history. We are not even seeing you as rival," he said. 

Then in a sharp jibe he added, "One should have qualifications to oppose our leader. I challenge it today. Udhayanidhi Stalin -- leave your grandpa's background and DMK identity. Resign your MLA post. Our leader will field one common woman as candidate. Only once our leader will come for campaign. You won't get your deposit if elections are held today".

The Controversy

During a speech in Thanjavur on the Cauvery water dispute with Karnataka, Udhayanidhi Stalin was interrupted by chants of 'Trisha, Trisha", from the audience. He then made a comment which the TVK claimed had a vulgar double meaning. Stalin Junior and his party have been at the receiving end of criticism from various quarters since. 

The TVK has accused him of lowering the standards of political discourse and dignity of women.

"My speech was subjected to copy-paste and delivered to the national media...  I am the grandson of Kalaignar... son of Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin... I am not scared of arrest. We will deal with this legally," Udhayanidhi Stalin said today. 

The DMK leader also said he had no intention to hurt anyone, "especially women".  "My family did not bring me up like that. I am married. I live with my wife. I have sisters... I did not speak with bad intentions," he said.  His only worry, he added, was that his remarks will be misunderstood by some.