Tamil Nadu BJP chief's remark about Chief Minister Vijay sparks row; political parties criticise

CHENNAI: A remark made by Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran targeting the mother of Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has sparked a controversy, drawing sharp criticism from political parties. Nagendran made the remark while speaking at an event held at the BJP's state headquarters, Kamalalayam. Reports said Nagendran's comment was in response to a “kutti kadhai” (short story) narrated by Vijay in the Assembly.

“If you look for your father at home and cannot find him, you should ask your mother who your father is,” Nagendran reportedly said.

The Tamil Nadu BJP chief's remark has triggered widespread criticism, with critics saying it crossed the limits of political decency and was unbecoming of a senior political leader. A complaint has reportedly been filed against Nagendran at the DGP's office.

The controversy has its roots in the “kutti kadhai” narrated by Vijay in the Assembly to take a swipe at DMK president MK Stalin following the DMK's defeat in the April 2026 Assembly election. The story reportedly included an apparent reference to the whereabouts of an opposition leader's “father” following Stalin's electoral defeat in the Kolathur Assembly constituency. Vijay's remarks had earlier drawn criticism from several political parties.

Minister A Rajmohan strongly condemned Nagendran's remark, calling it “a crude comment that should not have come from a person holding the position of a senior political leader.”

Rajmohan also said Vijay had earlier advised his colleagues to maintain decency in politics despite facing personal attacks and provocations. “Even if we have to face personal attacks and provocations, we must maintain decency in politics,” he said.

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai also criticised Nagendran, saying the state BJP chief had crossed “all limits of political decency.”

In a post on X, Annamalai said, “It is highly condemnable that speeches that vulgarise the political arena of Tamil Nadu continue unabated.”

“Those in politics must be responsible for their words and actions. Differences of opinion may exist. Policies can be critiqued. The functioning of the government can be questioned. However, speaking in a manner that insults someone's family members, especially their mother, is utterly unacceptable in any way,” Annamalai said.

He also urged political leaders not to encourage such “low-level, third-rate politics.” Annamalai said the younger generation should not consider such behaviour by political leaders as an example and called for an end to statements that set a bad example for children.