DMK members staged a noisy protest and walked out of the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday after Chief Minister Joseph Vijay accused the previous DMK regime of siphoning government funds. The protest was led by DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, who registered a strong objection to the Chief Minister's remarks.
CM's Allegations Spark Walkout
During his address, Chief Minister Joseph Vijay stated that the previous DMK government had diverted funds from various government departments to party coffers. He claimed that this practice had severely impacted the state's development and public welfare schemes. The DMK members, however, dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
DMK's Strong Reaction
Udhayanidhi Stalin, the DMK's deputy secretary and son of party chief M.K. Stalin, led the protest by raising slogans and demanding that the Chief Minister withdraw his remarks. When the Speaker did not allow him to speak, the DMK members staged a walkout, boycotting the remainder of the session. The party later issued a statement calling the allegations a 'blatant lie' and accusing the Chief Minister of trying to divert attention from his government's failures.
Political Context
The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling party and the DMK frequently clashing over corruption allegations. The DMK has been in opposition since losing the 2021 assembly elections to the AIADMK-led alliance, which is now led by Joseph Vijay after a split in the AIADMK. The party has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has accused the current government of targeting its leaders through selective investigations.
Impact on Assembly Proceedings
The walkout disrupted the assembly proceedings, leading to a brief adjournment. The ruling party members criticized the DMK's behavior, stating that the walkout was an attempt to avoid a debate on corruption. The DMK, however, maintained that the Chief Minister's remarks were unparliamentary and violated the decorum of the House.
