Heated exchange in T.N. Assembly as Udhayanidhi Stalin questions CM Vijay’s government on law and order

A heated exchange erupted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday (September 3, 2026) when the Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin charged that law and order situation has deteriorated since the TVK-led government assumed office in May this year.

Initiating the debate on demand for grants for the Police and Fire and Rescue Departments, headed by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, the DMK leader claimed no action was taken against TVK functionaries involved in criminal cases.

A visibly upset, Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources N.Anand, intervened and countered the allegation by reading out the action against his party functionaries. Immediately, the DMK MLAs stood on their feet and said the Leader of Opposition should not be interrupted while making his speech.

Minister Aadhav Arjuna, Raj Mohan and C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar also made interventions, leading to strong opposition from DMK legislators. Resuming his speech Mr. Udhayanidhi said, “Around 550 criminal incidents have been reported in the past 116 days, including 200 murders; more than 300 cases of sexual assault; eight custodial deaths; and 10 ‘honour’ killings.

The ruling party says the government has not even completed six months in office. That argument may apply to the implementation of its electoral promises...I do not dispute it. However, it cannot be used as an excuse when it comes to the law-and-order situation.” Mr.

Udhayanidhi said the ruling TVK government in 116 days of power, instead of introducing new schemes, has cancelled several projects launched by the previous DMK regime. “The government either announces a change of name or declares that a scheme has been scrapped,” he pointed out.

According to Mr. Udhayanidhi aid when the DMK was in power, Tamil Nadu was moving in top gear. But in these 116 days, Tamil Nadu is now moving in reverse gear, he alleged. “The functioning of this government appears to be focused more on ensuring that the reels posted by it [on social media] reach the public than on ensuring that its schemes reach the intended beneficiaries,” he charged.

Stating that the Fifth Police Commission had given nearly 800 recommendations in total and out of those, 86 recommendations were progressively implemented during the DMK administration, he urged the government to implement the remaining long-term recommendations in phases.

The House continued to witness heated exchange between MLAs of the two parties for nearly two hours. Around 1.15 pm, Chief Minister Mr. Vijay rose and remarked, “I shall answer all questions [on Monday next] but the Opposition should promise that they won’t run away.” With those remarks, Mr.

Vijay left the Assembly. Later Mr. Udhayanidhi retorted that the Chief Minister himself “ran away” from the Assembly. #Watch | Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's remarks about members "running away" sparked a sharp exchange with Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin in the Assembly.

Vijay said he would answer all questions on Monday and urged members not to leave while he was… pic.twitter.com/hofr0IffIw