Udhayanidhi Stalin Slams EPS Over Ambulance Incident; CM Stalin Highlights Success of Foreign Tour

Chennai, Sept 2025: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday launched a sharp attack on AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), accusing him of deliberately blocking an ambulance during an election rally in Vellore last week. The incident, which drew widespread criticism, occurred when Palaniswami reportedly shouted at an ambulance driver attempting to pass through his rally in Anaicut.

Health Minister Ma Subramanian had earlier condemned the AIADMK leader’s conduct, describing it as irresponsible and insensitive. Joining in, Udhayanidhi used a political platform to denounce Palaniswami’s actions while also praising the Health Department for its dedicated work.

Udhayanidhi Condemns EPS’s Actions

Speaking at a public event, Udhayanidhi began by lauding Health Minister Ma Subramanian and the officials of the Medical and Health Department for their efforts in strengthening healthcare delivery across Tamil Nadu.

He said, “This is a political event and I don’t want to speak much about politics. However, when the minister spoke, Mr. Ma Subramanian rightly responded to the allegations made by the Leader of Opposition and his party. You are all aware that the Leader of Opposition has been on continuous tours. You must have seen what happened about ten days ago.”

Referring to the incident in Vellore, the Deputy Chief Minister accused Palaniswami of deliberately stopping an ambulance and thereby endangering lives. “A few days ago, Edappadi Palaniswami deliberately stopped an ambulance from passing and tried his best to cause harm. The public strongly condemned this act,” Udhayanidhi said.

He further warned that the people of Tamil Nadu would not tolerate such behavior from their leaders. “If Edappadi Palaniswami does not understand this, let me make it clear: the people of Tamil Nadu will soon bring your party and your movement to such a state that it will have to be taken in an ambulance,” he said, drawing sharp reactions from the crowd.

CM Stalin Returns from Europe Tour

Meanwhile, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin returned to Chennai on Monday after completing a week-long tour of England and Germany. He described the visit as “highly successful,” announcing that the state had signed 33 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) securing investments worth over ₹15,516 crore.

According to Stalin, ten new industries have committed to investing in Tamil Nadu, while 17 existing companies in the state have decided to expand their operations locally instead of shifting to other states. He emphasized that this reflects the confidence investors have in Tamil Nadu’s governance and growth potential.

The Chief Minister shared an anecdote from his discussions with German investors, highlighting how the state’s strengths were often overlooked in the past. “I realized the true potential of Tamil Nadu when I told investors of a German company about our state. For years, they had only been told about other states. Now they know about Tamil Nadu too,” Stalin said.

Political and Economic Backdrop

The twin developments—the ambulance controversy involving Palaniswami and the successful overseas investment drive led by Stalin—come at a politically charged moment in Tamil Nadu. While the ruling DMK is projecting its achievements in governance and industrial growth, the opposition AIADMK finds itself on the defensive after the Vellore incident.

Observers note that Udhayanidhi’s fiery remarks signal the DMK’s strategy of keeping pressure on the AIADMK leadership while simultaneously highlighting the state government’s developmental agenda. At the same time, Stalin’s return from Europe with substantial investment commitments provides the ruling party with a strong narrative of progress and global recognition for Tamil Nadu.

As the state prepares for future political contests, the DMK leadership appears intent on combining criticism of the opposition’s missteps with tangible evidence of its own administrative achievements.