Tamil Nadu Assembly: All 59 DMK MLAs say no to government cars

Tamil Nadu Assembly: All 59 DMK MLAs say no to administration cars Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's proposal on administration cars for MLAs triggers debate in Assembly; DMK seeks need-based allocation.

Key points

• Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with DMK MLAs, at the Tamil Nadu Assembly in Chennai.
• Udhayanidhi, referring to the financial constraints of the State exchequer highlighted by the Chief Minister earlier, remarked based on the directions of DMK president M.K.
• Nehru intervened and remarked the Leader of the Opposition holds a rank equivalent to that of a Minister and was therefore entitled to a administration bungalow.
• Minister for Public Works Aadhav Arjuna intervened and remarked not only some of the newly-elected MLAs were financially disadvantaged, but some second-time MLAs additionally did not own cars.
• 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.

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 informed 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 administration.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had confirmed in the Assembly on August 19 that the State administration 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.

Speaking in the Assembly, Mr. Udhayanidhi, referring to the financial constraints of the State exchequer highlighted by the Chief Minister earlier, remarked 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 administration. All the DMK MLAs have signed a letter to this effect and submitted it to the administration 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 created on principle of equality, TVK MLAs with cars won't apply'.

Minister for Public Works Aadhav Arjuna intervened and remarked not only some of the newly-elected MLAs were financially disadvantaged, but some second-time MLAs additionally did not own cars. He remarked 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 remarked a car was not a luxury for an MLA but a basic requirement to meet residents in their constituency. He remarked TVK MLAs who already owned cars would not apply for administration vehicles. Mr. Arjuna additionally stated 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 remarked the Leader of the Opposition holds a rank equivalent to that of a Minister and was therefore entitled to a administration bungalow.

CPI MLA T. Ramachandran remarked cars could be provided to those who did not have them, and his party's position was that they don't need the administration car. PMK MLA A. Ganesh Kumar remarked the administration should additionally seek the opinion of MLAs before providing the vehicles.

Mr. Udhayanidhi remarked the decision of the DMK to provide up cars was not taken for political reasons. "Since the administration 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 remarked.

Minister for Minorities Welfare A.M. Shahjahan remarked during the tenure of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in power, panchayat union chairpersons were provided cars. Mr. Nehru remarked the responsibilities of MLAs and local body representatives were different.

Mr. Arjuna remarked residents in a number of places public had complained previously that they had never even seen their MLAs in their constituencies and providing a car would assist the MLAs to efficiently exercise their functions.

In short, tamil Nadu Assembly: All 59 DMK MLAs say no to government cars is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.