Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin came face to face in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday, a day after the DMK leader was arrested and later released in connection with alleged derogatory remarks about actor Trisha. The political confrontation unfolded as the state government presented its first Budget, with the opposition accusing the ruling dispensation of attempting to shift public attention from key issues.

Speaking outside the Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin alleged that his arrest was a "drama" orchestrated to divert attention ahead of the Budget session. He also questioned Chief Minister Vijay's silence on the episode, remarking that the Chief Minister should explain why he had not commented publicly on the arrest. The DMK leader maintained that the case had been politically motivated and timed to overshadow pressing matters affecting the state.

Udhayanidhi was arrested from his Chennai residence on Tuesday following a complaint filed by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) over remarks he made during a public event involving actor Trisha. Later the same day, the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu Police to release him after completing questioning related to the case. After his release, Udhayanidhi denied making any derogatory remarks, alleging that portions of his speech had been selectively edited and taken out of context.

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Clarifying his statement, Udhayanidhi said his remarks were solely intended to highlight the need for water for farmers and not to offend women. He asserted that he had no intention of disrespecting anyone and added that he regarded every woman in Tamil Nadu as part of his own family. The DMK leader reiterated that the allegations stemmed from a misrepresentation of his speech rather than its actual content.

Reacting to the TVK government's maiden Budget, Udhayanidhi described it as a "zero budget," claiming the administration had failed to deliver meaningful governance during its first 100 days in office. He further alleged that several welfare schemes announced by the government were merely renamed versions of initiatives introduced under the previous DMK administration. The criticism came as the opposition sought to challenge the government's performance on multiple fronts.

Presenting the Budget, Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson announced that the government had allocated more than Rs 1,300 crore for two gold assistance schemes, fulfilling key electoral promises while outlining measures to address Tamil Nadu's financial challenges. The government also reiterated its opposition to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), urging the Centre to restore medical admissions based on Class 12 marks. Udhayanidhi, however, criticised the government on the issue, alleging that it had filed cases against students who protested over the NEET paper leak.

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