CHENNAI: DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Tuesday defended party leader Udhayanidhi Stalin over the controversy surrounding his alleged indirect remark during a Cauvery protest in Thanjavur, saying the speech had been misrepresented and did not contain any insulting comments.Speaking to the media, DMK spokesperson Elangovan said, “I listened to his entire speech. Nothing was said as people are saying. He only listed out the CM’s failures. Nothing was insulting in his speech. He did not even mention the name of the actress (Trisha). He was only attacking the govt. The problem with this govt is that they don’t care about people of Tamil Nadu. They are being used by someone to attack DMK. Their party started only to attack us” The controversy began after Udhayanidhi, led a protest in Thanjavur against the TVK government’s handling of the Cauvery water-sharing issue and Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project.During his speech, some people in the crowd chanted actor Trisha’s name. Udhayanidhi responded by saying, “The water should come there, irrespective of where it is supposed to come from,” before adding, “No. I was referring only to the Cauvery.” The remarks went viral on social media, with several political leaders alleging they carried a double meaning.Leaders from the BJP, Congress and TVK criticised the remarks, calling them inappropriate and demanding an apology. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Women’s Wing also filed a police complaint in Thanjavur, alleging that the comments were insulting to women.
