TRICHY: Tamil Nadu leader of opposition and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday hit out at the ruling government after being released in connection with a case over his alleged double-meaning remark involving actor Trisha, saying he would not be afraid of a “false case”.Slamming the ruling dispensation, Udhayanidhi described the Tamil Nadu government as a “circus camp” and said he had spoken in “single-meaning” while demanding the release of Cauvery water for the welfare of farmers.“I did not insult women,” Udhayanidhi said following his release in Tiruchirappalli, according to news agency PTI.“I did not speak badly about anyone; CM is using diversion tactic,” he said, accusing the chief minister of attempting to divert attention from other issues.Udhayanidhi Stalin, who was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the alleged objectionable remark, was released on station bail following around 90 minutes of questioning at Sengipatti near Thanjavur, police sources said, according to PTI.He was accorded a warm welcome by a large number of DMK workers outside the police station, with party cadres raising slogans in his support and waving DMK flags as he walked out, according to news agency ANI.Udhayanidhi was arrested from his Chennai residence at around 11am and was brought to Sengipatti police station, around 27km from Thanjavur, where he was questioned in the presence of senior police officials, PTI reported.Following the completion of questioning over the alleged remark made during a protest meeting in Thanjavur on the Cauvery issue, he was released on station bail, in line with the state government’s submission before the Madras High Court.The Madras high court had directed the Tamil Nadu Police to release Udhayanidhi after completing his questioning in connection with the case and directed him to cooperate with the investigation whenever required, according to ANI.The court heard Udhayanidhi’s anticipatory bail plea after Tamil Nadu advocate general Vijay Narayan informed the court that the police did not intend to seek his judicial remand.The controversy erupted after Udhayanidhi, while addressing a gathering during a protest over the Cauvery water issue, was interrupted by sections of the crowd chanting “Trisha, Trisha”. He allegedly responded, “Whether the water reaches anywhere else or not, it should reach there,” before clarifying that he was referring to Cauvery water, according to ANI.Following the remarks, the women’s wing of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) lodged a complaint with the Thanjavur Police, alleging that the DMK leader had made a double-entendre remark targeting actor Trisha.The DMK, however, has maintained that Udhayanidhi’s remarks were misrepresented and were directed at the government’s functioning, not at any individual.(With agency inputs)
