DMK chief MK Stalin’s son arrested briefly; police cite his rally violated Covid-19 orders

Udhyanidhi was in Nagapattinam district’s Thirukkuvalai, the birthplace of the former chief minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, to launch the poll campaign, which will cover all 234 assembly constituencies. The campaign, which is scheduled for 75 days, is aimed at highlighting the alleged administrative lapses by the ruling AIADMK government.

Udhayanidhi was kept in a marriage hall along with other cadres. Soon, the DMK functionaries resorted to a roadblock in other districts like Coimbatore, Krishnagiri, Villupuram, demanding Udhayanidhi’s release.

Targeting Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, DMK MP Kanimozhi tweeted, “CM Edappadi can go anywhere, but DMK leaders should not go anywhere. Fear has gripped the slave AIADMK government from the first day of the DMK’s campaign. I strongly condemn the arrest of Udayanithi, the Youth Secretary of the party. He was immediately released.”

முதலமைச்சர் எடப்பாடி எங்கு வேண்டுமானாலும் செல்லலாம், ஆனால் திமுக தலைவர்களோ எங்கும் செல்லக்கூடாது. அடிமை அதிமுக அரசுக்கு திமுகவின் பிரச்சாரத்தின் முதல் நாளே பயம் தொற்றி விட்டது.

கழக இளைஞரணி செயலாளர் உதயநிதி அவர்களின் கைதை வன்மையாக கண்டிக்கிறேன். அவர் உடனடியாக விடுதலை 1/2

— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) November 20, 2020

Speaking to reporters after Udhayanidhi was released by the police officials, DMK principal secretary KN Nehru said the AIADMK government is afraid that DMK will come to power in 2021, and hence they are involved in all these activities to stop them.

“AIADMK is conducting meetings in every district, won’t Covid-19 restrictions apply to them? There was so much crowd during Diwali in markets and other areas. BJP is carrying out Vetrivel Yatra, did the government initiate any action? Why arrest only DMK’s youth wing secretary? They are afraid of us, they don’t want DMK to come to power in 2021. Tomorrow, as per the schedule, following the Covid-19 protocols, our youth wing secretary will take part in the election campaign,” Nehru said.

Nehru had earlier said that in the 75-day campaign, party leaders MP Kanimozhi, former minister Ponmudi, MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian among others will tour the state and address 1,500 meetings. He said party president MK Stalin is expected to start his campaign by January 2021. “He will be holding election rallies from January. He is in constant touch with the cadres through video conference,” Nehru said.