TN CM Vijay’s Dramatic Gesture Steals Show In Tamil Nadu Assembly, Sparks Political Storm

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday launched a sharp political attack on the Opposition DMK in the Assembly, combining satire, symbolism, and historical references to defend his government and criticise the rival party.

In a dramatic moment during his nearly 45-minute address, Vijay recreated the viral hand-slashing gesture earlier associated with his predecessor and DMK president M K Stalin , after seeking permission from Speaker J C D Prabhakar . With opposition members absent from the House following a walkout, the Chief Minister asked whether he could demonstrate the gesture, to which the Speaker agreed. Vijay then performed the motion, prompting loud desk-thumping from Treasury benches and visible amusement in the House.

Referencing the earlier political context, Vijay remarked that “the devil should not speak about evil,” indirectly targeting DMK leaders over their criticism of the ruling side. He also responded to Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks on governance and law and order, escalating the exchange of barbs between the two sides.

The Chief Minister also used a satirical anecdote during his speech, mocking the Opposition’s absence from the Assembly and making indirect references to political setbacks faced by the DMK. He added that his government was equally capable of using sarcasm in political discourse.

In another major point of his address, Vijay cited official Tamil Nadu Assembly records to defend the protocol followed for the National Anthem and Tamil Thaai Vazhthu at government events. He asserted that the established sequence where the National Anthem precedes the state song has been consistently followed in earlier instances as well.

He referred to the August 2, 2021 centenary celebrations of the Tamil Nadu Legislature, when the National Anthem was played before Tamil Thaai Vazhthu , and also cited occasions where the anthem was played at both the beginning and end of official functions, including events attended by national dignitaries.

Displaying Assembly records in the House, Vijay alleged that the DMK’s current criticism amounted to “double standards” , arguing that the same protocol had been followed during their own tenure and was well documented.

The twin episodes, his sharp political satire and his defence of anthem protocol turned Tuesday’s Assembly proceedings into a heated and symbolic exchange between the ruling side and the Opposition.