CHENNAI: As the Assembly convenes on Wednesday for the first budget session of the new government, the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK are bracing for a heated face-off, with the ruling party expected to bring the alleged violence and women safety issues triggered by the speech and arrest of Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Meanwhile, DMK has instructed its legislators to be careful about the diversion tactics of TVK and stay focused on the Cauvery water sharing issue and the Mekedatu dam project.
Udhayanidhi, who was questioned by the police in Thanjavur until 8.15 pm on Tuesday, reached Chennai late night. More than 10 MLAs, including KN Nehru, EV Velu and Sekar Babu, had accompanied the leader of opposition to Thanjavur and stayed with him through the questioning.
The DMK leadership has directed all its MLAs to be present in the Assembly. According to sources, the party has specifically asked its MLAs, some of them former ministers, to act with restraint inside the Assembly and avoid being drawn into a slugfest over the arrest issue that the ruling party is expected to raise.
“The MLAs have been asked to focus on the centre’s inaction on the Assembly’s resolution seeking a tribunal for the Mekedatu dam construction across the Cauvery,” a former minister and sitting MLA said. DMK has already held its MLAs’ meeting ahead of the session.
The ruling TVK, on its part, held its MLAs’ meeting at its Panaiyur office on Tuesday evening.
Sources in the ruling party said the TVK leadership has fielded a set of vocal ministers Nirmal Kumar, Aadhav Arjuna, Rajmohan and Ramesh to counter the DMK’s charge in the Assembly and respond to anticipated questions.
“Ministers and MLAs are well prepared for the Cauvery river water, Mekedatu dam and NEET entrance exam issues, and EB power supply and law and order situation in the state,” a minister said.
Addressing the MLAs in the meeting, minister Aadhav Arjuna took a swipe at DMK for speaking against women. “Ever since Kalaignar’s (Karunanidhi) days, the party has been speaking against women on several occasions. But, that will not happen when our Anna (C Joseph Vijay) is CM,” he said. He also challenged Udhayanidhi to contest as an independent candidate and win against his TVK candidate.