CHENNAI: PMK president and Rajya Sabha MP Anbumani Ramadoss has strongly criticised both Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin for his controversial remarks and the subsequent police action in arresting him, stating that both actions were inappropriate and should have been avoided.In a statement on Tuesday, Anbumani urged both the ruling and opposition parties to move away from political vendettas and prioritise constructive governance to address the pressing issues facing Tamil Nadu. Referring to the remarks made by Udhayanidhi during a demonstration in Thanjavur protesting the proposed Mekedatu dam project, Anbumani condemned the tone and nature of the speech.“The remarks made by Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin during the Thanjavur protest were in no way acceptable and lacked dignity. A person who has served as deputy chief minister and now holds the responsibility of leader of the opposition should learn to speak in a respectful and dignified manner,” Anbumani said.While condemning the remarks, Anbumani equally criticised the government and police for acting with extreme haste in arresting Udhayanidhi. He pointed out that the arrest was unnecessary, especially considering that the Madras high court had explicitly advised against any arrest until 12 noon and that the state assembly was scheduled to convene the following day.Anbumani alleged that the speed and eagerness shown by the government and police in this instance — rarely seen when resolving major public issues — clearly indicated that the move was driven purely by political motives. Highlighting that Tamil Nadu faces numerous critical challenges requiring immediate attention, Anbumani called on both the ruling and opposition parties to shift their focus towards problem-solving.He emphasised that the political leadership should dedicate its energy to resolving core public grievances rather than engaging in personal or political mudslinging. Furthermore, he urged the government to take all necessary precautionary measures to ensure that law and order across Tamil Nadu remains unaffected in the wake of the arrest of the leader of the opposition.
