AIADMK leader Udayakumar’s remarks on Trisha trigger backlash in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: AIADMK leader R B Udayakumar mocked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday asking him when he would make Trisha, who has acted with him in many films, a deputy CM. His unsavoury remarks drew spontaneous backlash from TVK functionaries and Trisha’s fans in the state. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam functionary lodged a complaint with the Tuticorin district police seeking legal action against Udayakumar for allegedly making derogatory remarks.

Trisha’s fans in Madurai strongly condemned the AIADMK leader’s comments. They put up posters in the city warning that they “would not tolerate such remarks” and that they would be forced to protest in Tamil Nadu. In a viral video, the former minister could be heard saying that the TVK government was appointing individuals closely associated with the chief minister, specifically producers and technical crew members who worked in his films, to various official government positions.

Udayakumar went on to name the persons appointed as temple trustee, Tamil Nadu government’s special representative in New Delhi, personal secretary to CM, head of state film training institute, as government advisors, and sarcastically remarked when Trisha would be appointed as his deputy.

There was no official reaction from those whom he targeted. “Tamil Nadu awaits to see when Vijay’s Trisha will be appointed as Deputy Chief Minister,” Udayakumar had said in the viral video.

A week ago, former Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested and questioned before he was released on station bail by the police in Thanjavur in the state in the case of alleged double-meaning remark alluding to popular actor Trisha and insulting her modesty.

Udhayanidhi, who walked out of the Sengipatti police station after an hour-long grilling, rejected the allegation saying he made a “single-meaning” remark, demanding Cauvery water for the state.

He also denounced what he called the alleged use of the “cut, copy, paste” method of distortion for his arrest and claimed he was taken like a terrorist by police. Defending the arrest of the DMK leader, TVK leader and Minister Aadhav Arjuna had said tough action will be taken against anyone making comments against women.

Udhayanidhi was arrested following a complaint lodged at the Thanjavur East Police Station by S Bairavi, TVK’s Central District Women’s Wing organiser for his alleged derogatory remark alluding to actor Trisha during a protest meeting on August 3 at Thanjavur.