Chennai: The Tamil Nadu legislative assembly turned into a theater of intense political confrontation on Tuesday. Chief Minister Vijay launched a blistering attack against the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) regarding the collection of “party funds,” which ultimately led to a mass walkout by DMK lawmakers.
Adding to the friction, the Chief Minister mimicked a widely shared hand gesture associated with former Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Disruptions Deepen During Governor’s Address
The heated exchange took place during the motion of thanks to the governor’s address. DMK legislators repeatedly disrupted Chief Minister Vijay’s speech, leveling accusations of political opportunism against the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
As chanting and protests filled the chamber, Speaker JCD Prabhakar along with members of the treasury benches called on the opposition to remain orderly and allow the Chief Minister to finish his speech.
Allegations of Financial Misconduct and Poaching
Chief Minister Vijay directly criticized the DMK’s financial practices, claiming they were accumulating money under the guise of party funds. According to a report by news agency ANI, the Chief Minister asserted that his administration would never embezzle public wealth and promised that every emerging case of corruption would be thoroughly investigated without leniency.
Furthermore, Vijay utilized his time on the floor to address DMK allegations that the TVK had engaged in “horse-trading” to lure former members of the Secular Progressive Alliance into the government fold. Pointing specifically to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Indian Union Muslim League, he emphasized that both organizations had reached their political decisions entirely on their own. He questioned the logic of the opposition, noting that the DMK simultaneously claims these secular parties act independently while accusing the ruling party of forcing their alignment.
Defensive Stance on Law and Order
Shifting focus to state security, the Chief Minister dismissed the DMK’s critiques regarding narcotics and crime rates as purely partisan maneuvers. He stated that while the government remains fully dedicated to combatting drug abuse and ensuring the safety of women, these systemic issues existed long before the TVK took office. He characterized the opposition’s arguments not as sincere worry, but as a calculated game of political defamation.
The Hand Gesture That Sparked a Reaction
The friction peaked when Vijay imitated a specific hand gesture previously made by Stalin, an act captured in a video that quickly circulated across social media and drew enthusiastic applause from the ruling party MLAs.
The gesture traces back to an online clip from earlier in the year, where Stalin raised his hand while exiting the DMK headquarters after concluding seat-sharing negotiations with the Congress party. While internet users originally speculated the movement meant “everything is settled,” Stalin later clarified to the public that the gesture was a spontaneous, unscripted response to journalists asking if the political talks had officially wrapped up.
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