Vulgar: CM Vijay slams Stalin for ‘body shaming’ Sathyabama

CHENNAI: TVK president and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Saturday condemned DMK president MK Stalin over his remarks on TVK's Dharapuram bypoll candidate P Sathyabama, accusing him of body shaming and indecent political discourse during his campaign in the constituency.

Vijay alleged that Stalin had turned an election campaign meeting in Dharapuram into a defamatory and indecent gathering and made objectionable remarks about Sathyabama's physical appearance.

"Stalin has spoken in a highly indecent manner and taken pleasure in ridiculing the physical appearance of our Dharapuram candidate, sister P Sathyabama," Vijay said in a statement. He further alleged that Stalin's remarks amounted to an admission of his role in what he described as a culture of vulgarity, violence and perversion within the DMK.

"The people of Tamil Nadu have long been aware that vulgarity, violence and perversion are embedded in the DMK's political culture," the chief minister said, accusing the party of being opposed to democratic values. The TVK leader also alleged that the DMK had repeatedly made vulgar remarks about women, including in their presence, without considering their discomfort. "The people of Tamil Nadu and Dharapuram will give an appropriate response to this force," Vijay said.

During the DMK's campaign, Stalin criticised Sathyabama over her shift from the AIADMK to the ruling TVK. According to the TVK, he used terms such as "petti" (suitcase) and "balti" (somersault), implying she had switched political camps for financial gain.

While the TVK approached the Election Commission with a complaint, the DMK, too, filed a counter petition.

DMK legal wing secretary NR Elango dismissed that Stalin made any remarks mocking anyone’s appearance. "He is known for speaking with dignity. Before speaking about body-shaming, they must have the basic standing to do so.

They should first look at how TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna spoke about the Leader of the Opposition.”