DMK MLA G R Markendiyan Arrested After Alleged Threats to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay

Chennai – On Monday, July 20, 2026, G R Markendiyan, a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and representative from the Sattur constituency, was escorted to the police station and placed under arrest.

The police say the arrest stems from a complaint lodged after a public meeting on July 18, where Markendiyan is alleged to have launched a series of hostile remarks against Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, C Joseph Vijay. The chief minister had earlier spoken about his “search for father,” a comment many interpreted as a veiled swipe at DMK supremo M K Stalin after Stalin’s defeat in the Kolathur by‑poll.

According to the filing, Markendiyan replied with language that bordered on intimidation. He is quoted as saying, “In the Assembly, the Chief Minister says he is searching for the father. Shameless Chief Minister. We will take care of you in the Assembly. He says he will lock the doors of the Assembly. If he locks them, his bones will be crushed. Let him lock the Assembly and see.”

A functionary from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) registered the complaint, prompting the Tuticorin Superintendent of Police to open a case and summon the MLA for questioning. As of now, Markendiyan remains in the custody of the Tuticorin police.

The arrest sparked an immediate reaction from DMK cadres. Supporters gathered outside the police station, chanting slogans and decrying what they called a politically motivated move. The atmosphere was charged but remained largely peaceful.

This isn’t the first time a DMK legislator has found themselves on the wrong side of the law this month. Earlier in July, Tiruchendur MLA Anitha Radhakrishnan was also taken into custody for comments targeting the chief minister. She, however, secured bail and walked free later the same day.

The episode adds another layer of tension to Tamil Nadu’s already fraught political climate, where party rivalries frequently spill over into heated public exchanges. Observers note that the legal proceedings against Markendiyan will likely be watched closely, both for their judicial implications and for the broader message they send about political discourse in the state.