Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, on Thursday (August 21, 2026), asked why there is a delay on part of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to examine the files on his table if he had evidence and proof of corruption in the previous DMK government.

Mr. Vijay had said in the Assembly on August 19 that he had proof of corruption in the previous DMK government on his table and would reveal it when necessary.

Speaking in the Assembly on Thursday, Mr. Udhayanidhi questioned why there was a delay in examining the files relating to the corruption allegations if there was evidence. “Why is there a hesitation to open the files? Take legal action immediately, if the government has evidence. The DMK is not afraid,” he said.

Responding to this, Minister for Public Works Aadhav Arjuna said DMK members had been saying that they had even faced the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). “The TVK came to power by defeating those who had faced MISA. So, we are not afraid of anyone,” said Mr. Arjuna, adding that White Papers were being prepared on the functioning of several departments and legal action would be taken if any irregularities were found.

‘Social media reels on expunged remarks being circulated’

Mr. Udhayanidhi said Assembly proceedings were being telecast live and the Speaker had been promptly expunging remarks and allegations made without evidence. However, even though the remarks were removed from the Assembly records, visuals of the expunged remarks were being taken from the live telecast, edited into reels and circulated on YouTube and social media platforms.

Mr. Arjuna said the Assembly proceedings had been telecast live only after the TVK came to power, enabling people to know what was happening in the Assembly to ensure transparency. He also questioned why the Assembly proceedings were not telecast live after the DMK came to power in 2021. He pointed out that the DMK had promised in its 2021 Assembly election manifesto that the Assembly proceedings would be telecast live.

Mr. Udhayanidhi alleged that whenever the Opposition raised a question, Ministers gave evasive replies. He said the live telecast of Question Hour had started only during the DMK regime.

Action against broadcast of expunged remarks: Speaker

Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar said broadcasting remarks after they had been expunged from the Assembly records was a breach of privilege. If remarks removed from the Assembly records were broadcast, the matter would be referred to the Privileges Committee and appropriate action would be taken.

Mr. Prabhakar urged Ministers and MLAs of both the ruling and Opposition parties to understand the dignity of the House and speak only of matters supported by evidence.

Published - August 21, 2026 01:34 pm IST