Sun Mar 02 17:29:10 UTC 2025: **Former AIADMK MLA Arrested for Defying Police Orders During Statue Inauguration**
PUDUCHERRY, March 3, 2025 – Former AIADMK MLA Om Sakthi Sekar and several supporters were arrested on Sunday for disobeying police orders and attempting to hold a second inauguration ceremony for a statue of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (MGR).
The statue, originally unveiled by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in 1996, was temporarily removed due to road widening work on the Villianur by-pass. Following its reinstallation, the AIADMK’s Puducherry unit held an inauguration ceremony on Friday, led by former MLA A. Anbalagan. However, Mr. Sekar, also a member of the AIADMK Cadres Right Retrieval Organisation, claimed his supporters were omitted from the commemorative plaque and proceeded with his own inauguration attempt, leading to a clash between factions of the party.
The resulting protest at Moolakadai involved rival factions shouting slogans, culminating in the arrests. The incident highlights internal divisions within the AIADMK’s Puducherry unit.
First Piper 