Ask mother about your father: Tamil Nadu BJP chief's remark on CM Vijay sparks row

BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagenthran triggered a political row on Saturday after taking a swipe at Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, saying that if someone wanted to know “where their father is”, they should ask their mother at home rather than look for the answer in the Assembly.Speaking at a party event at Kamalalayam, the BJP state headquarters, Nagenthran said he was responding to the actor-turned-politician’s earlier “kutti kathai” (short story) targeting DMK president MK Stalin.Mocking CM Vijay’s repeated references to “father” in the House, Nagenthran said asking “where is father?” in the Assembly would not provide the answer and that one should instead go home and ask one’s mother.The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had earlier narrated a “kutti kathai” (short story) in the Assembly following the DMK’s defeat in the April 2026 Assembly election, making a humorous reference to the whereabouts of Udhayanidhi Stalin’s father in an apparent allusion to the DMK chief’s defeat in Kolathur. Several political parties, including the DMK, had criticised Vijay’s remarks at the time. Responding to CM Vijay's taunt, the former CM had said he remained present in the hearts of the people despite not being in the legislature.TVK, ANNAMALAI SLAM BJP LEADERThe state BJP chief's remarks drew condemnation from Minister A Rajmohan and former BJP state president K Annamalai. Reacting to Nagenthran’s comments, state minister A Rajmohan called them “uncivilised and inappropriate” and said Vijay had consistently asked his colleagues to maintain political decorum despite provocations or personal attacks.Former BJP state president K Annamalai said the remarks had crossed the limits of political civility.Annamalai said questioning a government and engaging in political disagreement were legitimate parts of democratic discourse, but personal attacks involving a leader’s family, particularly their mother, were unacceptable.He described such remarks as a regressive and “third-rate” form of politics that should not be encouraged among younger generations.- EndsPublished By: Aprameya RaoPublished On: Aug 15, 2026 18:31 IST