'Political Vendetta': Udhayanidhi Stalin Slams Govt Over Anbil Mahesh Arrest
Udhayanidhi Stalin calls the arrest of DMK leader Anbil Mahesh in a Rs 100-crore school scam a political vendetta to hide government failures.
The political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu has reached a boiling point following the arrest of former School Education Minister and DMK leader Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. The arrest, linked to an alleged Rs 100-crore private school approval scam, has sparked a fierce reaction from the opposition, with Udhayanidhi Stalin labeling the move as a calculated act of political vendetta.
Udhayanidhi Stalin Hits Out at 'Circus' Administration
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin, did not mince words in his condemnation. Referring to Anbil Mahesh as his brother, Udhayanidhi described the current administration as a "circus" and accused the Chief Minister of being a "dummy" who orchestrated the arrest to shield the government from its own shortcomings.
According to Udhayanidhi, the arrest is a strategic diversion intended to shift public focus away from several critical issues, including:
- The perceived complete breakdown of law and order in the state.
- The soaring prices of essential commodities.
- Alleged rampant misconduct by members of the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).
"I strongly condemn the 'circus' administration for arresting former Minister—and my brother—@Anbil_Mahesh, an act clearly driven by political vendetta," Udhayanidhi wrote.
Confidence in Legal Victory
Despite the gravity of the charges, Udhayanidhi expressed unwavering confidence in Anbil Mahesh's ability to clear his name. He asserted that his party colleague would utilize all available legal remedies and eventually emerge triumphant. He further emphasized that the spirit of the party comrades cannot be crushed through the use of lawsuits or arrests.
MK Stalin Joins the Condemnation
The outcry was not limited to Udhayanidhi. DMK president MK Stalin also voiced his strong opposition to the arrest, echoing the sentiment that this is a politically motivated move. Stalin alleged that the ruling government is weaponizing the arrest to mask administrative corruption and the deteriorating state of law and order within the state.
The Core of the Controversy: The Rs 100-Crore Scam
The legal battle centers on a massive alleged scam involving the approval of private schools. Anbil Mahesh was arrested by the Chennai police from an apartment in Aminjikarai. This action followed a critical blow from the judiciary, as Justice V Lakshminarayanan of the Madras High Court dismissed his petition for anticipatory bail.
What are the allegations?
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Greater Chennai Police is investigating claims that during the previous DMK regime, while Anbil Mahesh served as the School Education Minister, money was illegally collected from private school managements. These funds were allegedly collected under the guise of "party funds" in exchange for promises of:
- Government approvals for schools.
- Permanent recognition.
- Permissions to upgrade school facilities.
As the investigation continues, the clash between the DMK leadership and the current administration highlights a deepening political divide in Tamil Nadu, where legal proceedings are being viewed through the lens of political warfare.