Chennai, May 14:
Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, questioning his conduct during the recent Assembly confidence motion debate.
Stalin criticised Vijay for not responding directly during the proceedings in the House and instead issuing a statement later from his residence. He said the Assembly is the primary democratic forum where the Chief Minister should have defended his government, especially during a trust vote.
According to him, avoiding a floor reply weakens accountability and sets a poor precedent in legislative practice. He argued that elected representatives are expected to engage in debate within the House rather than respond outside it after proceedings conclude.
DMK defends electoral position
Defending the DMK’s standing after the 2026 elections, Stalin acknowledged that the party did not secure a majority but maintained that it still commanded a significant share of the popular vote.
He said the DMK has respected the mandate of the people by taking its role in the opposition rather than attempting to retain power through alternative political manoeuvres.
Allegations on government formation
Stalin further alleged that the current government was formed without a clear majority mandate, suggesting that political alignments rather than direct electoral strength enabled the ruling side to assume power.
He contrasted this with the 2006 DMK government, stating that it was formed with alliance support and reflected a legitimate coalition-based mandate, not defections or engineered shifts in loyalty.
Reference to Dravidian model governance
The DMK leader also highlighted the continued relevance of the “Dravidian model” of governance, stating that several welfare initiatives associated with the DMK-era administration continue to influence policy directions.
He claimed that even the Chief Minister has indicated continuation of such welfare schemes, suggesting that the ideological framework of the DMK remains impactful despite being in opposition.
Rising political tensions
The remarks come amid escalating political exchanges between the DMK and the ruling C Joseph Vijay-led administration following the confidence vote in the Assembly.
Political observers note that both sides are now actively shaping competing narratives around legitimacy, governance, and public mandate, signalling a sharper phase of political rivalry in Tamil Nadu.