Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Vijay Condemns Stalin’s Remarks About TVK Candidate Sathyabama
M K Stalin criticised P Sathyabama during campaigning for a by-election in Dharapuram.
Sathyabama had been elected there for the AIADMK, later resigned, and joined the TVK.
Stalin used nicknames about her change of party, and his remarks also referred to allegations that money was involved.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay said the comments were insulting and accused Stalin of body-shaming her.
Other TVK leaders also criticised Stalin, and the party asked him to apologise.
Stalin accused the TVK of horse-trading and helping cause a split in the AIADMK.
The TVK denied those allegations and said legislators can resign and join another party.
Dharapuram voters were due to vote on October 6.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay condemned DMK leader M K Stalin’s remarks about TVK candidate P Sathyabama during Dharapuram bypoll campaigning.
Stalin criticised Sathyabama’s move from the AIADMK to the TVK and reportedly called her “Suitcase-Bhama” and “Somersault Bhama.”
Vijay and other TVK leaders accused Stalin of body-shaming and making derogatory comments about a woman candidate; the party demanded an apology.
Stalin’s campaign criticism included accusations that the TVK engineered an AIADMK split and engaged in horse-trading.
The TVK denied horse-trading and said legislators may resign and join another party without disqualification under the anti-defection law.
- Who
- Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, DMK leader M K Stalin, and TVK candidate P Sathyabama.
- What
- Vijay condemned Stalin’s remarks about Sathyabama during campaigning for the Dharapuram Assembly bypoll.
- When
- Stalin campaigned on Friday; Vijay condemned the remarks on Saturday, October 3. Polling was scheduled for October 6.
- Where
- Dharapuram, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Stalin criticised Sathyabama’s switch from the AIADMK to the TVK; TVK leaders said his remarks were derogatory and body-shaming.
TVK’s criticism
Stalin’s criticism
Remarks about Sathyabama
TVK’s criticism
Vijay and other TVK leaders described Stalin’s remarks as derogatory and body-shaming and said they insulted women; the party demanded an apology.
Stalin’s criticism
Stalin criticised Sathyabama for switching from the AIADMK to the TVK and used nicknames implying she had changed sides for money.
Alleged horse-trading
TVK’s criticism
The TVK denied horse-trading and argued that elected legislators may resign and join another party without disqualification under the anti-defection law.
Stalin’s criticism
Stalin accused the TVK of horse-trading and engineering a split in the AIADMK.
- By-election
- Dharapuram Assembly constituency
- TVK candidate
- P Sathyabama, also rendered as Sathiyabama in one report
- Previous party
- AIADMK
- Reported nicknames
- “Suitcase-Bhama” and “Somersault Bhama”; one report also gives the Tamil terms “petti” and “balti”
- Scheduled polling date
- October 6
- TVK response
- Vijay condemned the remarks, and the party demanded an apology
- Horse-trading allegation
- Stalin accused the TVK of horse-trading; the TVK denied the allegation
