Chennai, Jun 23 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay seeks permission from the Speaker and performs a cinematic gesture as he concludes his speech in the State Assembly, in Chennai on Tuesday. (ANI Video Grab)
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Sparks flew today as Chief Minister Vijay and Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin had a heated exchange. This was one of the sharpest confrontations between the two since the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) assumed office.The fireworks began when Vijay launched a blistering attack on the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) during his 45-minute reply to the debate on the Governor’s Address. The speech culminated in Vijay mimicking a hand gesture made by his predecessor MK Stalin, triggering strong reactions from DMK members.The gesture quickly went viral on social media, with users even sharing a collage comparing Stalin’s gesture in March, when he finalised the Congress alliance seat-sharing agreement ahead of the Assembly elections, and Vijay’s imitation of it in the House.Fierce wordsDuring his speech, Vijay accused the DMK of collecting funds from party cadres and supporters without adequately accounting for how the money was spent. To drive home the point, he narrated an anecdote about a man who repeatedly sought money from people but never fulfilled his promises, a story widely interpreted as satire on the DMK’s fund-raising practices.He slammed his critics for calling the TVK an actor’s party, stating his government represented the interests of the people. He took swipes at the DMK leadership through anecdotes. One story about a “missing man” was seen as a veiled reference to former Chief Minister MK Stalin (who lost in the Assembly elections), with his son Udhayanidhi purportedly searching for him in the Assembly.As he concluded his speech, Vijay sought the Speaker’s permission to enact a gesture he had intended to perform in the presence of DMK members. “I wanted to enact this gesture in the presence of the DMK members. However, all of them have walked out. Can I do it with your permission?” he said. After receiving approval, Vijay mimicked Stalin’s hand gesture and took his seat, drawing laughter from the ruling party benches.Udhayanidhi repondsUdhayanidhi Stalin hit back shortly afterwards on social media platform X, accusing the Chief Minister of filling his speech with “baseless allegations” and “punch dialogues” instead of addressing key governance issues.There were no answers regarding power outages, farmers’ issues, the deteriorating law and order situation, or plans to fulfil election promises, he said.The gloves were clearly off when earlier Udhayanidhi said the entire State was well aware of the story regarding the wife searching for her husband at the Chengalpattu court. And the Chief Minister must set aside the persona of actor Vijay and, conduct himself as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, he said.The personal exchange between the Chief Minister and the Opposition leader at the start of the new government is not a healthy sign, said a political expert.Published on June 23, 2026
