Chennai police have registered a case against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) councillor Sudha Deenadayalan and party meeting organiser Muralidharan following a complaint that Sudha made derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at a public gathering in Chennai on 7 October 2026. The case was lodged at the B-2 Esplanade police station after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionary Udhayakumar filed a formal complaint over the speech.

The Alleged Remarks

The controversy centres on video clips of the speech that circulated widely on social media, in which Sudha allegedly referred to Chief Minister Vijay repeatedly as a 'dog' while criticising his government. The remarks were made in the context of accusing the Vijay administration of failing to fulfil its electoral promises. Sudha also allegedly claimed that the government was merely continuing welfare and subsidy programmes originally introduced under the previous administration led by M.K. Stalin. However, it was her language against the Chief Minister that drew the sharpest reaction from TVK supporters, who shared extracts of the speech and demanded police action.

The FIR and Who Is Named

The formal complaint lodged by TVK functionary Udhayakumar alleged that Sudha had used objectionable and defamatory language against the Chief Minister, and also sought action against Muralidharan for organising the programme. Police subsequently registered a case against both individuals. The specific legal provisions invoked and further investigative steps were not immediately available. It also remains unclear whether either of the accused has been questioned or summoned so far. No response from Sudha or Muralidharan to the allegations was available at the time of reporting.

Senior DMK Leaders in the Line of Fire

TVK members have also trained their criticism on senior DMK leaders who were reportedly present at the meeting, alleging that they failed to intervene when the derogatory remarks were made. According to the ruling party, Chennai Mayor Priya, Member of Parliament Kanimozhi, and former Minister P.K. Sekarbabu were present on the dais. TVK alleged that their failure to object to the language amounted to tacit endorsement of the remarks. That allegation forms part of TVK's broader criticism of the event and has not been independently established.

Political Context

The incident has intensified exchanges between the ruling TVK-backed government and the opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu. This comes amid an already charged political atmosphere, with the Vijay government facing opposition scrutiny over its governance record and welfare delivery. Notably, the episode highlights the growing friction between the two parties — once allied — and signals that intra-opposition dynamics in the state are shifting. The case is also likely to put spotlight on norms around political speech at party-organised public events, where the boundaries between criticism and defamation are increasingly being tested in court.

What Happens Next

With a formal FIR now on record, investigators are expected to determine the next course of action, including whether summons will be issued to the accused. The political fallout is likely to continue as TVK sustains pressure on the DMK over the remarks and the conduct of senior party figures at the meeting.