Nainar Nagendran’s remarks on CM Vijay’s mother spark political row
A complaint has been filed seeking action against the BJP state chief over the remarks
Tamil Nadu BJP state president Nainar Nagendran has triggered a political row after making controversial remarks about Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and his mother during a speech at the BJP state headquarters, Kamalalayam, in Chennai on Independence Day.
The comments, which went viral on social media, drew sharp condemnation from ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ministers, Opposition parties, and former BJP state president K Annamalai. A formal complaint has also been lodged seeking police action. Police are investigating based on the complaint and social-media videos of the speech.
War of words
In his address, Nagendran referred to an earlier assembly exchange in which CM Vijay had remarked “Where is father?” while targeting DMK leader M K Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi Stalin, seen as a jibe after Stalin lost his Kolathur seat in the recent elections. Stalin had responded that he resided “in the hearts of the people”.
Also read: Nainar Nagendran apologises for controversial remark on Trisha-Vijay
Turning that phrase back on Vijay, Nagendran said words to the effect: “If you search for ‘Where is dad, where is dad’ in the Legislative Assembly, how will you know? You have to go home and ask. If you search for your father in the Assembly, who will know?”
Remarks spark complaint
Critics across parties described the comments as uncivilised, defamatory and personally targeting the chief minister’s mother. Lawyer Varthini from Maduravoyal, Chennai, filed a complaint at the Chennai Director General of Police office. In her complaint, she said Nainar Nagendran made controversial and defamatory remarks about CM Vijay and his mother in the public domain in a manner that could create law-and-order problems.
She demanded that police register a case and take action.
‘Uncivilised remark’
TVK Minister Rajmohan Arumugam condemned the speech as “uncivilised, slanderous and unfitting a leader’s stature” . He warned that “the relationship between DMK and BJP will soon come to light” and that hidden relations in Tamil Nadu politics would be exposed, while reiterating the TVK’s focus on eradicating corruption.
Other TVK ministers demanded that Nagendran publicly apologise to the chief minister and the people of the state. VCK Minister and party's deputy general secretary Vanni Arasu described the remarks as “highly uncivilised, grossly disgusting and deserving of severe condemnation.” Speaking to The Federal, he said, “What else can be expected from BJP sanatanis?”
Also read: BJP alleges temple land scam, rural power crisis under TVK govt in TN
He also recalled Nagendran’s earlier speech about an actress as low quality and insisted the BJP leader must apologise.
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai issued a strong rebuke. “It is highly condemnable that uncivilised speeches continue to dominate Tamil Nadu’s political arena. Politicians must be responsible for their words and actions. Differences of opinion can exist; policies can be criticised; government actions can be questioned. But speaking in a way that degrades someone’s family, especially their mother, is unacceptable in any way.”
This is not the first time Nainar Nagendran has faced criticism for personal remarks about CM Vijay. During the Assembly election campaign, he had made comments linking actor Trisha Krishnan with Vijay, drawing criticism. He had also described deaths reported at TVK rallies as a “good omen.”
Nagendra responds
Reacting to the criticism, the BJP leader alleged that his remarks were twisted and misinterpreted to seek political gains. "I wish to state that I did not refer to or target anyone with any ulterior motive whatsoever. I am a person who holds deep concern and affection for my mother, my motherland, and my mother tongue," he added.
