A Stalin comeback? How an Assembly 'insult' may see DMK chief back into electoral arena

A war of words transgressing personal lines between Tamil Nadu’s leading ruling party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and the main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) erupted on Tuesday (June 23) with Chief Minister Vijay’s “where is your father?” gibe, apparently aimed at DMK supremo and former chief minister MK Stalin.

Also read: Vijay vs Udhayanidhi: War of words turns intensely personal

The latter did not ignore the CM’s remark, saying he lives in “people’s hearts”. Speaking in a public meeting, Stalin said he might not be physically present in the Assembly, but he is available whenever people look for him.

Vijay's 'kutty' story dig at DMK chief

After delivering his detailed response to the governor’s speech, Vijay told a "kutty (short) story" to take a dig at the opposition leader. He described an elderly man looking for something under the blazing sun, and when a boy asked him what he was searching for, he replied that he was looking for the boy's father.

While the DMK staged a walkout in protest, his words also provoked the DMK leadership, which indicated that the patriarch could return to the Assembly by means of a by-election. The 73-year-old leader lost in this year’s Assembly elections from his constituency, Kolathur, which he had held for three terms, against a TVK opponent. His son and former deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is currently the leader of the opposition.

'M K Stalin would return'

Reactions also came in from other leaders from the party. Deputy Leader of Opposition KN Nehru said the former CM’s entry into the Assembly could happen soon, NDTV reported.

Also read: ‘We don’t know how to…’: Vijay’s blockbuster reply in Assembly sparks DMK walkout

“He asked our leader, where is your father? He would come. Very soon he would come in. That's all we can say now. He would return and take responsibility again. That's for sure. Till yesterday all our cadre were quiet. But after he spoke, cadre across Tamil Nadu want this,” he was quoted as saying in the NDTV report.

TVK allies not happy with CM's words

Criticism of the CM’s words also came from the TVK’s own alliance. The Communist Party of India (CPI), which is a former ally of the DMK which decided to back Vijay’s party after it fell short of the majority on its own in the April elections, expressed disappointment over Vijay’s remarks. Party state secretary Veerapandian called for decorum in conduct in the House.

The chief minister was also accused of imitating the senior Stalin’s hand-slashing gesture.

Thol Thirimavalavan, the chief of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), another ally of the TVK, was also not amused. He said such a gesture from the CM did not suit the dignity of his office, opining that the TVK chief should not have made such a personal reference.

Udhayanidhi's post mocking Vijay

Vijay’s remarks were not the only time when the matter became personal. Even Udhayanidhi posted on X, referring to a wife looking for her husband at the Chengalpattu court near Chennai, something that many saw as an indirect mockery of reports related to the divorce plea of Sangeetha, Vijay’s wife.

By-elections due in TN

What adds fuel to speculations that MK Stalin could return to the Assembly is that several constituencies in the state have recently fallen vacant. As many as six of them require by-elections. Vijay himself vacated one – Trichy East – after he retained the Perambur seat after the election results came out. Besides, five MLAs of the opposition All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam also quit, with four of them joining the TVK.

Also read: Vijay's TVK eyes Kerala, but Mullaperiyar stands in the way

The DMK, which lost power in this election, could look to strengthen its presence in the Assembly, particularly after several of its allies abandoned its ship to back Vijay’s government. Bringing back the former CM in any of the impending by-elections would give it an additional boost.