Chennai, July 4 -- The political landscape in Tamil Nadu has been thrown into turmoil following the arrest of senior DMK MLA Anitha R Radhakrishnan, who used his detention to level explosive allegations of political coercion against members of the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Radhakrishnan, who was taken into custody on Saturday in connection with a case registered at the Athoor Police Station, addressed the media moments after his arrest. He claimed that the legal action against him is part of a calculated campaign to force his resignation from the Assembly and lure him into defecting to the TVK.

Characterising the overtures made to him as far more aggressive than traditional political manoeuvring, the MLA stated, "It w...