DMK MLA GV Markandeyan arrested over alleged threat against TN CM Vijay
Police say Markandeyan made defamatory remarks, issued threats against CM at Kovilpatti public meet; DMK says TVK settling political scores through such arrests and probes
Police have arrested GV Markandeyan, the DMK MLA from Vilathikulam constituency in Tamil Nadu, on charges of making defamatory remarks and issuing threats against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay during a public meeting organised by the DMK in Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district.
Charges against Markandeyan
According to police, the case was registered following a complaint over the MLA’s speech at the gathering. Markandeyan allegedly made derogatory comments about the chief minister and claimed that Vijay had “fled to Karur to avoid arrest.”
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The MLA is also accused of speaking in a threatening tone, reportedly saying: “If the Assembly is convened, what will happen? You know who we are.” The remarks have been described by police as carrying a threatening connotation. Markandeyan was taken into custody, and a case has been registered under relevant sections, including those dealing with defamation and criminal intimidation. This incident follows a similar arrest earlier this month of another DMK MLA.
Similar arrests, probes
The latest arrest comes amid a series of police actions against DMK leaders and former ministers since the TVK government assumed office in May 2026. In early July 2026, Tiruchendur DMK MLA and former Fisheries Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan was arrested in Thoothukudi district for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Vijay during a public meeting on June 20. He was later granted bail by a local court after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.
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The TVK-led government has initiated multiple corruption-related probes against several former DMK ministers. At least seven cases involving four former DMK ministers are currently under investigation by agencies including the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and CBI.
Prominent among them is former Transport Minister V Senthil Balaji, who faces multiple cases including the cash-for-jobs scam (probed by ED), transformer scam in the electricity department (CBI), and an MLA poaching case. Former ministers KN Nehru and EV Velu have also been named in cases related to alleged irregularities in recruitment and public works contracts.
DMK dubs action ‘police regime’
DMK leaders have strongly criticised these developments, describing the actions as a 'police regime' aimed at stifling opposition voices and settling political scores. They argue that the government is selectively targeting DMK functionaries while failing to address larger issues of law and order. The ruling TVK, on the other hand, maintains that the cases are based on legitimate complaints and ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and criminal acts, and that no one is above the law when it comes to defamation or threats against constitutional authorities.
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Historically, leaders from both major Dravidian parties, DMK and AIADMK, have faced criminal cases during periods when they were out of power, with the affected side frequently leveling accusations of political vendetta. The latest arrest of Markandeyan has further heightened political tensions between the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu.