Udhayanidhi Stalin news highlights: DMK leader released on station bail, claims detention was ‘Vijay’s diversion tactic’

• DMK leader and LoP in Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin was released on station bail on Tuesday evening, after being detained earlier in the day. He was taken to Sengipatti police station in Thanjavur, where he was questioned for an hour.

• Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday dismissed the allegations against him, saying his comments were spoken in “single meaning”. He accused the TVK government of “diversionary tactics”.

• DMK president MK Stalin accused the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by chief minister C Joseph Vijay of using arrests to silence critics. Stalin alleged the arrest was politically motivated to prevent Udhayanidhi from attending the Tamil Nadu Assembly's budget session.

• DMK cadres staged protests in different parts of the state, inclouding in Thoothukudi district, where police detained 51 people.

• The ruling TVK had filed a complaint against Udhayanidhi Stalin for his alleged offensive remarks on actor Trisha. Based on the complaint at the Thanjavur East police station, a case was registered against Udhayanidhi. He was later picked up from his residence in Chennai and detained.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Paneerselvam was detained during a flash protest and later released, PTI news agency reported. He thanked DMK workers and supporters, saying they had made the protest a “success.”

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: After being released on station bail, DMK leader and LoP in Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin slammed the TVK-led government in the state, terming it a “circus camp”, PTI news agency reported.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday dismissed the allegations against him, saying he spoke in “single meaning”.

Speaking to reporters, Udhayanidhi said he had not spoken ill of anyone and alleged that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay was resorting to a diversionary tactic, PTI news agency reported.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: After his release on station bail, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin said he “did not insult women.”

Stalin further claimed that the detention was Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay's “diversion tactic.”

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Tuesday reacted to the police detention of DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin.

“The comment was unwarranted, and the detention was also unnecessary. Both were completely unwarranted and unnecessary distractions from the issue on hand, which is the water arrangement between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and the upcoming Budget in Tamil Nadu,” Karti said, according to ANI news agency.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: DMK leader and LoP in Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin left the Sengipatti Police Station in Thanjavur after being questioned for over an hour in the case against him over alleged offensive remarks.

A large crowd of DMK suporters and party workers surrounded him as he left the police station.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: Even as DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin undergoes questioning at the Sengipatti police station, party workers gathered outside and burst firecrackers, PTI news agency reported.

Udhayanidhi is expected to be released after questioning, in accordance with the Madras High Court's directive.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, who was detained earlier today for alleged offensive remarks against actor Trisha Krishnan, is undergoing questioning at Sengipatti police station near Thanjavur, PTI news agency reported citing sources.

Police, in view of a huge gathering of party workers at Thanjavur town, have "taken a u-turn" and brought Udhayanidhi to Sengipatti police station, which is about 27 km away from the Cauvery delta town, they said.

The DMK top leader was originally scheduled to be taken to Thanjavur East Town PS for questioning. However, the police often changed the routes towards the destination, sources claimed. However, a huge crowd of party workers gathered at Sengipatti as well.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin was brought to the Thanjavur police station for questioning in connection with the case against him. A large crowd of supporters gathered outside the Sengipatti police station in Thanjavur, where the DMK leader was brought.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was escorted through the Thirumandurai Toll Plaza on Tuesday as supporters gathered along the route after he was detained by police.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: DMK president MK Stalin on Tuesday accused the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by chief minister C Joseph Vijay of using arrests to silence critics after Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was detained in connection with an FIR over his remarks on actor Trisha Krishnan.

Stalin alleged the arrest was politically motivated to prevent Udhayanidhi from attending the Tamil Nadu Assembly's budget session. He said the opposition leader had merely criticised the government over the Cauvery water dispute and accused the TVK government of intimidation, suppressing dissent and targeting political opponents. He also welcomed the Madras High Court's direction to release Udhayanidhi the same day. AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami also questioned the timing of the arrest, alleging a political motive. Read the copy here.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: Traffic diversions have been put in place in Thanjavur ahead of DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin's appearance before the police. Udhayanidhi was taken to Thanjavur to be produced before the police in connection with the case registered against him.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: DMK cadres staged a protest by blocking roads in Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district, ANI news agency reported.

Police detained 51 people who were part of the protest, according to ANI.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: DMK leaders in Thanjavur condemned the detention of Tamil Nadu LoP Udhayanidhi Stalin and staged a protest on Tuesday.

Stalin was taken from Perambalur to Thanjavur under heavy security to be produced before the police.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: DMK leader and LoP in Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin is now being taken from Perambalur to Thanjavur under heavy security to be produced before the police in connection with the case against him.

A large number of DMK cadres gathered along the Chennai–Tiruchirappalli National Highway at Perambalur's Four Road junction as his convoy passed, ANI news agency reported.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: DMK MP Tiruchi Siva Tuesday accused the TVK-led Tamil Nau government of not “accepting opposing views.”

“The TVK-led Tamil Nadu government lacks the maturity to accept opposing views and has invoked non-bailable sections against its political opponents. Its intolerance, coupled with the police's hasty approach, has led to unrest across Tamil Nadu. Governments must cultivate tolerance, which is an essential feature of a healthy democracy,” Siva told PTI news agency.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: TVK legislator from Puducherry A K Sai J Saravanan Kumar on Tuesday led a party-organised protest condemning DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin over his alleged derogatory remarks against actor Trisha.

Saravanan Kumar said Udhayanidhi Stalin should exercise restraint and refrain from making remarks against TVK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, PTI news agency reported.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: Tamil Nadu electricity minister Nirmal Kumar on Tuesday condemned the alleged controversial remarks made by Udhayanidhi Stalin.

“He doesn't even have the basic fitness to serve as a Member of the Legislative Assembly or the Leader of the Opposition. Such a mindset is completely unacceptable for public office,” Kumar said, according to PTI news agency.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: DMK's Puducherry unit staged a road roko on Tuesday to protest against the arrest of Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin.

The convenor of the Puducherry unit of the DMK R Siva, led the agitation condemning the arrest of Udhayanidhi Stalin. Four DMK MLAs, Vignesh Kannan, R Senthil Kumar, V Karthikeyan and A Senthil and a host of party cadres were detained by the police, PTI news agency reported.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: MK Stalin reacted to son Udhayanidhi Stalin's detention and slammed chief minister Vijay's government and said that the incident was a bid to conceal its ‘glaring failures’.

TVK spokesperson Americai Narayanan on Tuesday criticised Tamil Nadu leader of opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin over his alleged offensive remarks on actor Trisha, saying that the DMK leader has now been given a new moniker by the women and people of the state -- "Vulgar nidhi."

Naryanan said, "Udhayanidhi Stalin is no longer called by his name. The women and people of Tamil Nadu have given him a new name: "vulgar nidhi." His comments are shameful. As a TVK member, I was really looking forward to Udhayanidhi's speech during the Cauvery protest yesterday, as he's the Leader of the Opposition, to address the consideration of the government. Unfortunately, he used the farmers' platform to speak ill about women."

Here's what has happened in Tamil Nadu since this morning:

• The ruling TVK filed a complaint against DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin for his alleged offensive remarks on actor Trisha.
• Based on the complaint at the Thanjavur East police station, a case was registered against Udhayanidhi. He was later picked up from his residence in Chennai and detained.
• Protests erupted on the roads of Tamil Nadu as DMK leaders and party workers opposed the detention of Udhayanidhi Stalin.
• Udhayanidhi Stalin, while being detained, spoke to reporters and clarified that he did not say anything wrong nor did he take anyone's name. He said he was not afraid of action, and was ready to face any consequences.
• DMK moved an anticipatory bail plea before the Madras high court for Udhayanidhi Stalin, which was heard after 2 pm on Tuesday.
• After hearing the TVK government's submissions on Udhayanidhi Stalin, the court directed the police to release the DMK leader “today itself” after questioning is completed.
• The DMK leader is currently being taken to Thanjavur where he will be questioned. Following this, Udhayanidhi Stalin will be released.

Udhayanidhi Stalin news LIVE: DMK advocate and RS MP NR Elango, speaking to reporters outside the Madras high court, alleged that the Joseph Vijay-led Tamil Nau government detained Udhayanidhi Stalin in a bid to stop him from coming to the assembly.

“It was a huge gathering. People from all walks of life have supported that public meeting. The people at large had gathered there. The Leader of Opposition, Udhayanidhi, spoke about the inaction of the state government. The first Budget session of this government will begin tomorrow. With a view to stop him from coming to the assembly, and raising very important questions, the state government today morning wanted to arrest him,” he said.

Elango further stated, "The state government realising its mistake at 1415 hours said that want to remand him but take him to Tanjore to examine him and then release him on bail. The court has asked Udhayanidhi Stalin to cooeprate with the investigation."