Udhayanidhi Stalin rejects govt cars for DMK MLAs, Aadhav Arjuna calls it necessity

All 59 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly have decided not to avail themselves of government cars proposed for legislators, Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin said on Friday.Speaking in the Assembly, Udhayanidhi said the decision was taken following instructions from DMK president MK Stalin.He said all 59 DMK legislators had signed a letter stating that they would not accept the vehicles and submitted it to the government through the Speaker.The decision comes after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced a scheme to provide official cars to all 234 MLAs. Under the proposal, each legislator would also receive Rs 75,000 per month towards fuel, maintenance and driver expenses, along with Rs 25,000 a month to appoint an assistant or secretary.OUR MLAs CAN USE THEIR OWN CARS: DMKUdhayanidhi said the DMK's decision was in line with concerns over the financial condition of the state exchequer. He said the government had itself highlighted financial constraints and argued that DMK legislators did not need the proposed vehicles. The DMK also said MLAs could use cars based on their individual requirements rather than receiving vehicles as a standard benefit.The issue has triggered a political debate in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, with the ruling side defending the decision to provide vehicles to legislators. The government has argued that transportation is a necessity for MLAs to carry out constituency work, meet residents and attend official engagements.CAR IS NECESSITY: AADHAV ARJUNAAadhav Arjuna, Tamil Nadu's Minister of Public Works and Sports Development, while defending the government's decision, said a car should not be viewed as a luxury but as a necessity for elected representatives who need to travel across their constituencies and meet people.Arjuna also questioned Udhayanidhi's use of a government bungalow, pointing out that the Leader of Opposition has multiple houses. He raised the issue while responding to criticism of the government's decision to provide official vehicles to MLAs.The government's proposal was announced after VCK legislator Jothimani raised concerns about the lack of adequate transport facilities for legislators.Chief Minister Vijay said the scheme was intended to provide logistical support, particularly to first-time MLAs and representatives from less privileged backgrounds, and facilitate their constituency work.Under the proposed arrangement, the government would provide vehicles to all 234 MLAs along with monthly allocations for their operational expenses and assistance.The DMK, however, has maintained that its legislators will not use the government-provided vehicles or related benefits.The decision has added another point of political contestation in the Assembly, with the DMK framing its refusal around financial prudence while the government maintains that the facilities are necessary for legislators to effectively perform their duties.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Aug 21, 2026 16:05 IST