Udhayanidhi Stalin Arrest Live Updates | ‘Won’t be afraid of false case’: Udhayanidhi Stalin slams TVK government as ‘circus camp’

Hours after interrogation, Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Udhayandhi Stalin walked out of Sengipatti police station and was accorded a warm welcome by hundreds of DMK members. Slamming the TVK government as a 'circus camp', Stalin said he will not be afraid of a false case and clarified that he spoke in 'single-meaning,' demanding Cauvery water release for farmers' welfar. He was arrested on Tuesday for his alleged remarks against Chief Minister Vijay. The DMK leader allegedly made a sexually suggestive reference to the Chief Minister's friendship with a popular Tamil actor. Following the police action, hundreds of DMK workers are staging protests in different parts of Tamil Nadu. Ex-Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has condemned the arrest of his son and said the arrest was meant to divert attention from his government's failures.

Government vs Opposition: A war of words has erupted between the Vijay-led government and Opposition leaders over the arrest of Udhayanidhi Stalin. After AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami condemned the arrest, Electricity Minister R Nirmal Kumar accused him of "political opportunism" and failing to defend his party's legacy. "Palaniswami is hiding behind the DMK. When Udhayanidhi spoke derogatorily about 'Amma' (J Jayalalithaa) in the past, Palaniswami was the Chief Minister. He didn't take any action then; he just watched quietly to protect his post," Kumar said. Defending the arrest, Kumar said Vijay did exactly what Jayalalithaa or MGR would have done in the past.

Controversial speech: During his address, Udhayanidhi criticised the Tamil Nadu government over the Cauvery issue, saying the state had not received the water it was entitled to from Karnataka. As he spoke, sections of the audience began chanting the name of a well-known Tamil actor who is widely perceived to share a close friendship with Chief Minister Vijay. Pausing briefly and smiling at the crowd, Udhayanidhi made a remark that was widely interpreted as carrying a sexual innuendo. The audience responded with applause and laughter, after which he added, "I mean I was referring to Cauvery only."

Hundreds gather agitating against the arrest of Udhyanidhi Stalin. The Opposition leader has been released out of a police station in Thanjavur after hours of questioning.

📸 Scenes from Sengipatti, Thanjavur.இன்னும் சற்று நேரத்தில் மாண்புமிகு எதிர்க்கட்சித் தலைவர் @Udhaystalin ........ #udhayanidhistalin ொடைநடுங்கி_அரசு #tvkvijayfails pic.twitter.com/DiF6772efr

Udhayanidhi Stalin walks out of Sengipatti police station near Thanjavur following release, accorded warm welcome by DMK cadres.

Hundreds of DMK members had gathered outside Thanjavur police station as Udhayanidhi Stalin was supposed to be questioned there.

VIDEO | TN: Earlier in the day, hundreds of DMK cadres gathered outside the Thanjavur police station, where LoP Udhayanidhi was expected to arrive for questioning. pic.twitter.com/Qc9noe8TOn

VIDEO | Cuddalore: Tamil Nadu Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin was escorted through Thirumandurai Toll Plaza amid supporters gathering. pic.twitter.com/SYF69IRVGi

As a large number of DMK members gathered outside Thanjavur East Police Station, police shifted Udhayanidhi Stalin to Sengipatti Police Station in the district. Udhayanidhi reportedly refused to get out of the police vehicle after being taken there.

Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin is being questioned at a police station in Thanjavur.

Security has been tightened in Thanjavur as Udhayanidhi Stalin would be questioned there shortly.

VIDEO | Tamil Nadu: Traffic diversions across Thanjavur ahead of Udhayanidhi Stalin's appearance for police inquiry. Tamil Nadu Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin was taken into police custody from his residence for questioning over his controversial double-meaning remark in… pic.twitter.com/O9T6QkaGXp

Here's what Opposition leaders said condemning Udhayanidhi's controversial remarks

Condemning the detention of Tamil Nadu LoP Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK cadres held a road blockade protest in Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi district.

#watch | Tamil Nadu: Condemning the detention of Tamil Nadu LoP Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK cadres held a road blockade protest in Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi district. Police detained a total of 51 people who participated in these protests. pic.twitter.com/eGUJDlMdFD

While DMK leaders are staging protests against the arrest of Udhayanidhi Stalin, Electricity Minister R Nirmal Kumar questioned the former Deputy Chief Minister's fundamental eligibility to hold public office. Kumar stated that the mindset displayed by the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly is "completely unacceptable" for public office.

"He doesn't even have the basic fitness to serve as a Member of the Legislative Assembly or the Leader of the Opposition. Such a mindset is completely unacceptable for public office," Kumar asserted. He further emphasised the broader social implications of such remarks made by prominent figures.