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The police said they were arrested after a complaint was lodged by Ratnavel, who alleged that Renganathan had threatened him with a weapon.
A case under Section 307-Indian Penal Code (attempt to murder) was registered against Renganathan, the police added.
Renganathan had surrendered on Tuesday before a metropolitan magistrate and obtained bail in connection with a case against him, for running an unauthorised bar and gambling den in Madras.
They were later remanded to 15 days' judicial custody.
Opposition members belonging to the DMK, Bharatiya Janata Party and MGR-ADMK later staged a walkout from the state assembly, protesting against 'police high-handedness' in arresting some members, thus preventing them from attending the House.
Before walking out, leader of the opposition K Anbazhagan alleged that continued custody of DMK MLA and former deputy speaker Parithi Illamvazhuthi and the arrest of Renganathan, were aimed at preventing them from attending the House.
He asked the Speaker to take action against the police officials, who had Tuesday 'assaulted' Illamvazhudhi and arrested Renganathan. It was a case of breach of privilege, he contended.
The Speaker said he would protect the privilege of the members but in the case of the two, action had been taken on the basis of complaints.
After the Speaker's remarks, the opposition members trooped out of the House.
Later, Chief Minister J Jayalalitha denied the allegation by Anbazhagan that the arrests were 'politically motivated'.
On the arrest of Renganathan, she said those who had worked as 'power centres' during the earlier DMK government had to pay a price for their activities.
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