Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with DMK MLAs, at the Tamil Nadu Assembly in Chennai. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
Leader of the Opposition and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Udhayanidhi Stalin told the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Friday (August 21, 2026) that all the 59 DMK MLAs have decided not to avail themselves of the cars to be provided by the State government.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had announced in the Assembly on August 19 that the State government would provide a car to every MLA, along with ₹75,000 a month towards its maintenance and fuel costs and ₹25,000 a month towards appointing an assistant to each MLA.
Letter submitted to Speaker
Speaking in the Assembly, Mr. Udhayanidhi, referring to the financial constraints of the State exchequer highlighted by the Chief Minister earlier, said based on the directions of DMK president M.K. Stalin, the DMK MLAs have decided not to avail themselves of the cars to be provided by the government. All the DMK MLAs have signed a letter to this effect and submitted it to the government through the Speaker.
Mr. Udhayanidhi suggested that vehicles should be provided only to MLAs who needed them, taking into account the financial status declared by the members in their election affidavits.
‘Announcement made on principle of equality, TVK MLAs with cars won’t apply’
Minister for Public Works Aadhav Arjuna intervened and said not only some of the newly-elected MLAs were financially disadvantaged, but some second-time MLAs also did not own cars. He said a VCK MLA was coming to the Assembly by bus. The Chief Minister’s announcement to provide cars to all MLAs was based on the principle that all members of the House were equal.
He said a car was not a luxury for an MLA but a basic requirement to meet people in their constituency. He said TVK MLAs who already owned cars would not apply for government vehicles. Mr. Arjuna also said even after “having two or three bungalows, the Leader of the Opposition applied for living in the government bungalow.”
Former Minister K.N. Nehru intervened and said the Leader of the Opposition holds a rank equivalent to that of a Minister and was therefore entitled to a government bungalow.
Won’t need govt. car: CPI
CPI MLA T. Ramachandran said cars could be provided to those who did not have them, and his party’s position was that they don’t need the government car. PMK MLA A. Ganesh Kumar said the government should also seek the opinion of MLAs before providing the vehicles.
No political motive: Udhayanidhi
Mr. Udhayanidhi said the decision of the DMK to give up cars was not taken for political reasons. “Since the government assumed office, it has been saying that there is a severe financial constraint on the exchequer. Our stand is that we do not need a car. My suggestion is that cars may be provided based on the needs of the respective MLAs,” he said.
Minister for Minorities Welfare A.M. Shahjahan said during the tenure of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in power, panchayat union chairpersons were provided cars. Mr. Nehru said the responsibilities of MLAs and local body representatives were different.
Mr. Arjuna said people in several places public had complained in the past that they had never even seen their MLAs in their constituencies and providing a car would help the MLAs to efficiently exercise their functions.
Published – August 21, 2026 03:13 pm IST
