The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Tuesday broke its silence over the controversy surrounding Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin’s alleged objectionable remarks about actor Trisha, dismissing
the criticism as a “politically motivated” attempt to divert attention from issues concerning farmers in Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery delta region.
DMK leader Dr T R B Rajaa came out in defence of Udhayanidhi, accusing critics of manufacturing a controversy to avoid a debate on the plight of delta farmers and the Cauvery water dispute.
“The politically motivated defamatory news on the LoP is a clear move to divert away from the plight of #Delta #farmers. Instead of debating those questions, critics are trying to manufacture a controversy!” Rajaa wrote in a post on X.
Calling for a discussion on governance rather than personalities, he added, “Debate politics. Debate policy. Don’t replace substance with selective fake news!”
Rajaa also alleged that the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government was shifting focus away from the Cauvery issue.
The politically motivated defamatory news on the LoP is a clear move to divert away from the plight of #Delta #farmers. Instead of debating those questions, critics are trying to manufacture a controversy !
Debate politics. Debate policy. Don’t replace substance with selective…
— Dr. T R B Rajaa (@TRBRajaa) August 4, 2026
“The TVK govt is clearly deviating away from the Cauvery issue!!!” he wrote.
Defending Udhayanidhi further, Rajaa said the outrage surrounding the Leader of Opposition’s speech reflected more on his political opponents than on his remarks.
“The outrage over LoP’s speech says more about his critics than about his words.”
“They don’t want him to come to the Assembly and ask difficult questions. Hence this manufactured hatred!” he added.
Meanwhile, DMK’s IT wing wrote on X, “TVK simply cannot stomach the wave of success from the massive DMK-led protest in support of farmers, held yesterday in Thanjavur under the leadership of Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin! Unable to recover from that shock, they are now unleashing vile, false propaganda through their “virtual abusers” in a bid to divert public attention!
Also Read: Udhayanidhi’s ‘Double-Meaning’ Remark On ‘Trisha’ Chants At Rally Angers Vijay’s TVK: ‘Disgusting’
“No matter how many lies you spread via “virtual abusers” or how much you use the police to issue threats, you cannot escape the questions the people are asking, CM Sir!” it added.
How The Controversy Erupted?
The controversy erupted after Udhayanidhi, while addressing a protest rally over the Cauvery water dispute in Thanjavur on Monday, took a swipe at Chief Minister Joseph Vijay over the state’s water crisis.
During the speech, someone in the audience shouted “Trisha, Trisha.” Udhayanidhi briefly paused his speech and then, with a smirk on his face, responded to the sloganeering with an offensive double entendre, triggering a political storm.
‘Vulgar, Offensive’: TVK Lodges Complaint With NCW
Thalapathy Vijay’s TVK has since approached the National Commission for Women (NCW), seeking action against Udhayanidhi over the alleged remarks.
In its complaint, the party described the comments as “deeply troubling and offensive” and urged the Commission to take cognisance of the incident.
“Udhayanidhi Stalin resorted to offensive, double-meaning remarks and vulgar innuendos targeting a prominent female public figure, prompted by an audience chant,” the complaint said.
“Such language, delivered from a high-profile political platform, normalises the objectification and verbal harassment of women in public space,” it added.
The party has sought an “unconditional public apology” from Udhayanidhi, alleging he used “objectifying and vulgar rhetoric” against a woman. It has also demanded that the NCW issue a notice to the DMK leader and urged police to register a case against him for “outraging the modesty of women.”
Also Read: Jana Nayagan: Trisha Krishnan Shares First Reaction After Watching Vijay’s Last Film | See Here
TVK has also announced plans to hold statewide protests over the remarks.
Reacting strongly to the controversy, TVK MLA Rhevanth Charan said, “Absolutely disgusting. Passing such disgraceful comments against anyone is completely unacceptable. It exposes the mindset, political culture, and declining standards of the clan,” calling it a new low for the DMK leader.
The BJP has also criticised Udhayanidhi over the remarks, further intensifying the political row.
