DMK president MK Stalin on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, criticising his conduct in the state Assembly and accusing him of focusing on dramatic “punch dialogues” rather than the issues facing the people.
Speaking at a DMK executive meeting, Stalin alleged that the Vijay-led government was also changing the names of schemes introduced during the DMK’s tenure.
“The present Chief Minister is busy changing the names of all the schemes we introduced. He is treating the Legislative Assembly like a cinema set and delivering punch dialogues,” Stalin said, according to ANI.
Stalin contrasted this approach with what he described as the DMK’s continued connection with people’s day-to-day concerns.
“As far as we are concerned, whether we win or lose, we are people who remain deeply connected with the day-to-day lives of the people,” he said.
Vijay’s dramatic Assembly moment
Stalin’s remarks come amid growing political attention around Vijay’s conduct in the Assembly.
During an Assembly session in June, the opposition DMK staged a walkout. Vijay continued with his speech and later sought Speaker JCD Pabhakar’s permission to make a dramatic gesture.
After noting that the people he intended the gesture for had already walked out, Vijay asked whether he could still make it. After receiving permission, he smiled and made an “it’s over” gesture with his hand.
The moment went viral on social media, drawing considerable attention to the actor-turned-politician’s style inside the Assembly.
Stalin says DMK defeat is an opportunity
Addressing party leaders, Stalin also spoke about the DMK’s electoral defeat, describing it as an opportunity to reassess the organisation and prepare for the future.
“Let us consider this as an opportunity we have been given to plan the future of the party,” Stalin said.
He indicated that significant organisational changes were being planned, calling the executive committee meeting an important one in the party’s history.
“We have only lost an election,” Stalin said, stressing the need for the party to remain focused on its political future.
DMK legislators reject free car offer
The political clash between the DMK and Vijay’s government has also extended to the Tamil Nadu government’s proposal to provide free cars to MLAs.
On Friday, DMK leader and Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin said all 59 DMK legislators had decided not to accept the offer.
Udhayanidhi questioned the proposal in view of the government’s claims about the state’s financial position and suggested that the financial status and existing vehicle ownership of legislators should be considered.
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai also criticised the proposal, arguing that public funds should instead be directed towards priorities.
The exchanges underline the growing political confrontation between the DMK and Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), with the Assembly emerging as an important arena for the battle between the two sides.
