I'm in people's hearts: Stalin hits back at Vijay's 'Where is your father?' jibe

Published 25 June 2026 · politics

Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s “Where is your father?” remark to Leader of Opposition Udhaynidhi Stalin in the Tamil Nadu Assembly has set off fresh political

Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s “Where is your father?” remark to Leader of Opposition Udhaynidhi Stalin in the Tamil Nadu Assembly has set off fresh political row, with senior DMK leaders indicating that party chief and former Chief Minister MK Stalin could return to the House through the expected round of by-elections. The remarks have gained traction because Stalin, who led the DMK in the 2026 Assembly elections, suffered an upset defeat to the TVK in Kolathur and has remained outside the Assembly since then, while his son Udhayanidhi Stalin is serving as Leader of the Opposition. Read Full Story Responding to Vijay's taunt, MK Stalin said he remained present in the hearts of the people despite not being in the legislature. “I am in the people's hearts. I may not be in the Assembly, but I am there wherever people look for me,” he said.

Speculation about Stalin's return to the Tamil Nadu Assembly was first fuelled by DMK leader and MLA KN Nehru, who, in response to Vijay's remarks, said that Stalin would soon come to the Assembly. He said that even though the cadres had remained quiet so far, everyone wanted the former Chief Minister's return to the House. Nehru’s statement is being viewed as the clearest sign so far that a section of the DMK wants Stalin to contest one of the Assembly by-elections that are expected in the coming months. The issue began after Vijay, in a speech in the Assembly, told a story built around the question, “Where is your father?” The line was widely read as a jibe at Udhayanidhi Stalin and at his father’s absence from the House.

Vijay’s comment also drew objections from some of his own alliance partners. VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said the remark did not reflect well on the dignity of the Chief Minister’s office and said Vijay should have avoided making a personal reference. He also urged the Chief Minister to uphold the decorum of the Assembly. The exchange then became more personal. Udhayanidhi Stalin responded on X with a post about a wife searching for her husband at the Chengalpattu court. The post was widely seen as an indirect reference to reports linked to Vijay’s wife Sangeetha’s divorce plea. That response also faced criticism from political observers, who said leaders on both sides were bringing personal matters into political discourse. The row has unfolded at a time when multiple Assembly seats have become vacant.

Six constituencies currently need by-elections. Tiruchy East fell vacant after Vijay resigned from the seat and retained Perambur, one of the two constituencies he had won. Five AIADMK MLAs have also resigned, and four of them later joined the TVK. These by-polls are expected to be watched closely as the first major electoral test after the Assembly elections. For the DMK, they may offer a route to bring Stalin back into the legislature and strengthen its challenge to the Vijay government. So far, however, there has been no official word from Stalin on whether he will contest, though Nehru’s remarks indicate that calls for his return are growing within the DMK. Ends