‘Murders Like Movies’, ‘Governance Like a Shoot’: Kanimozhi, Stalin Target Vijay

Tamil Nadu’s political confrontation has acquired a cinematic edge as Kanimozhi accused Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay of watching murders unfold like movies, while MK Stalin alleged that his administration resembled a film shoot.

The two DMK leaders used separate messages on X to challenge Vijay over law and order and his attacks on their party. Kanimozhi focused on murders and robberies in Chennai. Stalin mounted a broader counterattack, invoking his imprisonment during the Emergency, rejecting corruption allegations and questioning the government’s delivery on promises.

Their remarks followed Vijay’s September 7 Assembly address, in which he accused the DMK of corruption and defended his government’s approach to policing.

Kanimozhi questions Vijay over Chennai crime

DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi alleged that recurring murders and robberies in Chennai had exposed inadequate government action. “Another murder in the capital city of Chennai! With such murder and robbery incidents continuing day after day, it’s impossible to avoid raising one suspicion,” she wrote.

Invoking Vijay’s past as a film actor, she alleged that he appeared to be waiting to “first watch these brutal murders unfold like entertainment in commercial movies” before showcasing his own “heroic adventures”.

Her criticism challenged the Chief Minister’s assurances that police would act firmly and without political bias.

Stalin invokes the Emergency: ‘History can never be changed’

In a video message, DMK president MK Stalin responded to Vijay’s Assembly remarks by recalling the party’s opposition to the Emergency and his arrest under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, or MISA.

Addressing the Chief Minister as “Thambi Vijay”, Stalin said the Union government dismissed the DMK government on January 31, 1976, after M Karunanidhi opposed the Emergency and criticised MISA at a large Marina beach gathering.

According to Stalin, police arrived at Karunanidhi’s Gopalapuram residence to arrest him immediately after the dismissal. He was away campaigning, and his father told officers he would inform them when his son returned.

Stalin said he was arrested the following day and subjected to physical and mental abuse in prison. He alleged that ten prisoners were confined to a small room in an area used to house leprosy patients, beaten with lathis and kicked with boots.

He also alleged that his jawbone was broken during an assault and recalled the death of DMK leader and former MP Chitti Babu, which he attributed to beatings in custody.

“No matter who tries to demean me, history can never be changed. It will remain as it is forever,” Stalin said.

Corruption allegations and a counterattack on governance

Stalin rejected Vijay’s allegations concerning the Sarkaria Commission and corruption charges against Karunanidhi. He argued that successive governments would have acted had the allegations been substantiated.

He also disputed the use of Enforcement Directorate cases to attack the DMK, alleging that the agency had been deployed for political vendetta.

In his Assembly speech, Vijay had cited the Sarkaria Commission report while accusing the Karunanidhi-led government of corruption. He also claimed that the Enforcement Directorate had linked Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin and Senthil Balaji to alleged collection of money in the name of party funds.

Stalin urged Vijay to uphold the dignity of the Assembly and concentrate on law and order, welfare, development and Tamil Nadu’s rights. “The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has dignity and respect. It is a place sculpted by many great leaders, great men. That responsibility is now with you,” he said.

He accused the government of failures involving law and order, the Parandur airport project, farmers’ loan waivers and LPG cylinder promises. Echoing Kanimozhi’s cinematic criticism, he alleged that Vijay was using social media to distract from his administration’s record.

“Your administration also, just like a cinema shooting. To hide your inefficient administration, you are posting various reels like this and cheating a whole generation,” Stalin alleged.

Vijay’s defence: Police will act across party lines

Addressing the Assembly on September 7, Vijay said his government would fill police vacancies and allow the force to function without political interference. “Law is equal for everyone. Whoever commits a crime, action will be taken irrespective of party lines. That is our policy,” he said.

The Chief Minister said police should protect people rather than function as a “power centre”. He attributed crimes reported over the preceding three months to past enmity and revenge.

Vijay also said 36 people had been arrested in connection with the murder of a college student in Coimbatore and pledged to tackle drug culture in Tamil Nadu.

“As a brother to our youngsters, I am determined to put an end to the drug culture in Tamil Nadu,” he said. He separately appealed for political criticism to remain free of abusive or defamatory remarks targeting women.

Stalin, meanwhile, said being out of power would not diminish the DMK’s role. The party, he asserted, would continue to fight for Tamil Nadu’s rights, development and people.

With inputs from ANI