Former Tamil Nadu BJP president and We The Leaders founder K. Annamalai has criticised Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s government after a volunteer associated with his organisation was booked and arrested following a social media exchange with a TVK supporter.
In a post on X, Annamalai alleged that the volunteer had been arrested after responding to a TVK supporter who had allegedly used abusive language against his family. He described the arrest as “concerning” and warned the Vijay government against using police cases and arrests to suppress criticism.
Addressing Vijay directly, Annamalai wrote, “One of the key reasons for the downfall of the DMK government was that, intoxicated by the power of being the ruling party, those in power disregarded criticism and opposing views from the people.”
He said there was now concern that the TVK government could be heading in the same direction.
“There is now a concern that your government too is travelling on the same path,” Annamalai said.
Cases Against Critics
Annamalai claimed that more than 25 people with opposing views had faced cases over the past month following disagreements and criticism involving TVK supporters on social media.
“In the last one month alone, information is emerging that cases have been filed against more than 25 people who held differing views over disagreements and criticisms involving your party members on social media,” he said.
He specifically referred to the recent case involving a We The Leaders volunteer who was booked and arrested after responding to a TVK supporter who had allegedly used abusive language against the volunteer’s family.
“In particular, it is concerning that a We The Leaders volunteer who responded to a TVK supporter who had criticised his family using abusive words was booked and arrested,” Annamalai said.
At the same time, Annamalai acknowledged that there was a need to monitor personal abuse and excessive speech on social media.
“It is necessary to monitor personal defamation and speech that crosses limits on social media,” he said.
However, he drew a distinction between action against abusive content and action against political criticism.
“But attempting to suppress every voice that criticises the government and the ruling party through the power of cases and arrests is not healthy for democracy,” Annamalai said.
‘You Are The Chief Minister Of All People’
Annamalai also warned officials against taking action merely to please the Chief Minister.
“You should not allow those in power to act arbitrarily with the intention of pleasing the Chief Minister,” he said.
He reminded Vijay that his position had changed after assuming office.
“Today, you are not merely the leader of a political party; you are the common Chief Minister of all the people of Tamil Nadu,” Annamalai said.
He argued that criticism and dissent were an integral part of democratic politics.
“Opposing views and criticism are natural parts of democracy,” he said.
Annamalai concluded by calling on Vijay to stop what he described as a growing trend of filing cases and making arrests even over minor criticism.
“It is unfortunate that the trend of cases and arrests even for minor criticism continues,” he said.
He urged the Chief Minister to intervene immediately.
“Therefore, I urge you to immediately stop this trend and take steps to provide due space for democratic voices and criticism,” Annamalai said.
தமிழக முதலமைச்சர் திரு @TVKVijayHQ அவர்களின் கவனத்திற்கு,
திமுக ஆட்சி வீழ்ச்சியடைந்ததற்கான முக்கியக் காரணங்களில் ஒன்று, ஆளுங்கட்சியினர் என்ற அதிகார போதையில், மக்களின் விமர்சனங்களையும் எதிர்க்கருத்துகளையும் அலட்சியப்படுத்தியதுதான். அதே பாதையில் உங்கள் அரசும் பயணிக்கிறதோ என்ற… pic.twitter.com/gaAgiDwJcB
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) August 18, 2026
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