Vaiko releases 34-year-old crime report; chastises allies for criticizing TN government

Vaiko interacts with reporters in Chennai on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: RAGHUNATHAN SR

Amid continuing allegations by opposition parties of rising crime and deteriorating law and order in Tamil Nadu, MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Tuesday released a catalog of crimes that have taken place over the past 34 years. He also complained that the government led by TVK is criticized by its two coalition partners.

He told reporters in Chennai on Tuesday that apart from the IUML and the MDMK, other parties in the ruling alliance were critical of the administration.

Mr. Vaiko released a detailed list of crimes committed in the state between May 1991 and May 2026. Citing a list compiled by Madurai-based human rights organization People’s Watch, he highlighted several serious criminal incidents.

Vaiko spoke on the subject for over an hour and also narrated the background of key moments from his own political journey during this period. Specifically, he detailed the circumstances of his arrest under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) in July 2002. He noted that after learning of the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to detain him under POTA, he expedited his return from the United States—originally scheduled for July 15—and arrived in Chennai on July 11 for judicial arrest. He added that while he was supposed to be lodged in the Vellore Central Jail, the authorities tried to detain him in the Madurai Central Jail on the way, an effort that was abandoned only after his strong resistance.

He also recalled that it was former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi who first addressed him as “Vaiko” instead of his full name V. Gopalasamy. He narrated that during the constituent meeting held in Delhi to form the National Front, M. Karunanidhi sent him a note on a slip of paper addressed to “Thambi Vaikovukku”.

Mr. Vaiko alleged that some time after he founded the MDMK, L. Ganesan and Gingee N. Ramachandran tried to split the party and organize a rival general council at the behest of the DMK leadership, but these efforts failed.

He further recalled that after his release from POTA jail, he undertook a padayatra from Tirunelveli to Chennai along with 1,200 people demanding an end to caste and communal clashes and complete eradication of narcotics. Although he was denied entry to Chennai, as the march approached the city, he defied the restrictions, entered Chennai and addressed a public meeting.

Mr. Vaiko also mentioned that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa as a special guest for his swearing-in ceremony, he vehemently opposed the move and was arrested after staging a demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

Mr. Vaiko said he was against Sterlite’s Thoothukudi plant from the very beginning and fresh efforts are reportedly underway to reopen the facility on the pretext of “Green Copper” production. He claimed that Vedanta’s Anil Agarwal had sought a meeting with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for this purpose; however, after his own appeal asking the Chief Minister not to meet him, the meeting did not take place and Mr. Agarwal has now approached the court.

Before Mr. Vaik’s speech, his party officials spoke in detail about his political contributions.

Published – 11 Nov 2026 01:25 IST