Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (CM) and chief of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), C Joseph Vijay on Saturday slammed DMK president and former CM of the state, MK Stalin over remarks directed at the party’s Dharapuram bypoll candidate, P Sathyabhama.
The row erupted after Stalin, while campaigning in Dharapuram, called Sathyabhama ‘Suitcase-Bhama’ and ‘Somersault Bhama,’ while referring to her physical appearance. Other leaders of the TVK too criticised the DMK supremo for body-shaming the woman candidate and demanded that he issue an apology.
MK Stalin and TN CM Vijay (Left to Right)
Vijay terms remarks ‘Uncivilised’
Reacting to Stalin’s alleged derogatory remarks, CM Vijay accused the DMK chief of making ‘indecent’ and utterly uncivilised remarks against Sathyabhama in a post on ‘X.’
His post read, “Under the guise of a campaign public meeting for the Dharapuram constituency by-election, Mr Stalin, the leader of the evil force that is the DMK, has conducted a defamatory and utterly uncivilised gathering.”
He sharpened his attack on Stalin, adding that the latter had resorted to ‘caricature mockery’ and had spoken in an ‘indecent manner.’ Furthermore, he accused the DMK of repeatedly making inappropriate comments about women, saying that voters would respond to such remarks during the election.
Sathyabhama (Right)
What were Stalin’s remarks which drew backlash?
Notably, Stalin made the comments while addressing a campaign meeting in Dharapuram in support of DMK candidate S Suganya. He had launched a verbal attack on the TVK over allegations of political horse-trading and the resignation of several AIADMK legislators who later joined the ruling party.
While referring to Sathyabhama’s switch from the AIADMK to the TVK, Stalin said people were calling her ‘Suitcase Bhama,’ and added another nickname, ‘Somersault Bhama.’ He then questioned how she had managed to perform a somersault ‘with that figure.’
The TVK was quick to criticise the comments made by the former CM of Tamil Nadu.
TVK voices demand for apology
TVK party symbol
TVK Health Minister Arun Raj accused Stalin of body-shaming Sathyabhama and said the remark was an insult to women, as well as the Dalit community. Several TVK leaders voiced demands for an apology from the DMK chief.
The legal wing of the TVK also escalated the issue to the Election Commission, by filing a complaint against Stalin over the remarks.
Political switch remains central to bypoll row
In the recent Assembly election, Sathyabhama had won the Dharapuram Assembly seat as an AIADMK candidate. She then resigned from the seat and joined the TVK, which has now fielded her in the bypoll.
The political switch has emerged as a major issue in the campaign, as the opposition has alleged that money and political inducements were involved. However, the TVK has denied allegations of horse-trading and has maintained that elected legislators are entitled to resign and join another party without attracting disqualification under the anti-defection law.
The Dharapuram bypoll is slated to be held on October 6, 2026.