DMK MLA G R Markendiyan has been arrested over alleged defamatory and threatening remarks made against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. The legislator was taken into custody following a complaint filed by a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionary regarding comments made during a public meeting. After the arrest, supporters of the DMK staged a protest and raised slogans against the police action.

The MLA is currently being questioned at the Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police office. The controversy relates to a public meeting held on July 18, where Markendiyan allegedly responded to remarks made by the Chief Minister regarding his “search for father”. The comments were interpreted by political opponents as an indirect reference to DMK president M K Stalin following electoral developments involving the Kolathur constituency.

During the speech, Markendiyan allegedly made statements criticising the Chief Minister and issued remarks that were considered threatening by the complainant. Following the speech, a TVK functionary approached the authorities and filed a complaint, leading to police action against the DMK legislator. Officials have begun questioning the MLA as part of the investigation into the allegations.

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The arrest has triggered a political reaction, with DMK supporters protesting outside and condemning the police proceedings. Party members have questioned the action against the MLA, while authorities have maintained that the arrest followed a complaint and the need to investigate the alleged remarks. The matter has added to the ongoing political tensions between the ruling party and opposition groups in Tamil Nadu.

This is not the first recent case involving allegations of controversial remarks against Chief Minister Vijay. Earlier this month, Tiruchendur DMK MLA Anitha Radhakrishnan was arrested in connection with comments made against the Chief Minister and was later granted bail on the same day. The latest incident is expected to further intensify political exchanges between the DMK and TVK ahead of future electoral developments in the state.

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