Chennai: A fresh political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu ahead of the October 6 Dharapuram Assembly bypoll after DMK president M K Stalin made remarks about TVK candidate P Sathyabama’s appearance during a campaign meeting, drawing a sharp response from Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay.
Stalin, while addressing voters in Dharapuram on Friday, referred to Sathyabama as “Petti Bama” and “Palti Bama” references to a suitcase and a somersault. He then made a comment linking the idea of a somersault to her physical appearance. The remarks were subsequently criticised by TVK leaders as inappropriate and derogatory.
Vijay on Saturday condemned Stalin’s comments, alleging that the DMK president had crossed the limits of political campaigning by commenting on a woman candidate’s appearance. He described the remarks as indecent and accused the DMK of allowing personal attacks on women to become part of political discourse.
The dispute has now moved beyond campaign rhetoric. TVK election management general secretary Aadhav Arjuna has approached the Election Commission, alleging that Stalin’s remarks violated election norms and seeking action against him. The complaint also reportedly seeks restrictions on Stalin’s campaigning, including action concerning his status as a star campaigner. The allegations remain subject to consideration by the election authorities.
The controversy comes days after Sathyabama herself became emotional during a campaign event, alleging that she had been subjected to abusive and obscene comments after leaving the AIADMK. She said she resigned because of concerns over the possibility of an AIADMK-DMK understanding, a claim that has featured prominently in the TVK’s campaign.
Sathyabama had won Dharapuram as an AIADMK candidate in the April 2026 Assembly election. She later resigned as MLA, joined the TVK and was renominated by Vijay’s party for the same constituency. Her resignation created the vacancy that triggered the bypoll.
Dharapuram, a Scheduled Caste reserved constituency, will vote on October 6, while counting is scheduled for October 9. The bypoll is among the first electoral tests for the TVK government after it came to power earlier this year.
With polling just days away, the Sathyabama controversy has added another flashpoint to an already closely contested campaign involving the TVK, DMK and AIADMK.
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