TVK Demands Stalin Apology Over Remarks Targeting Dharapuram Candidate Sathyabama

Stalin was campaigning in Dharapuram on Friday for DMK candidate S. Suganya ahead of the October 6 Assembly bypoll. During his speech, he referred to nicknames reportedly being used for Sathyabama, including "Petti Bama" and "Palti Bama". Reports of the remarks prompted a strong response from TVK leaders.

TVK ministers K.A. Sengottaiyan and Arun Raj criticised Stalin's comments, arguing that political campaigning should centre on issues and competing policies rather than remarks about a woman's appearance or personal identity.

Sengottaiyan, in a post on X, questioned whether the comments could be regarded as legitimate election campaigning and called for Stalin to apologise to Sathyabama. He also criticised what he described as the tone of the remarks and raised broader questions about the treatment of women in political discourse.

Arun Raj similarly condemned Stalin's comments, alleging that the DMK leader had mocked Sathyabama and made disparaging references to her during the Dharapuram campaign. He said the TVK viewed the remarks as an attack on the candidate's dignity.

The controversy comes amid an increasingly heated contest in Dharapuram. Sathyabama, who previously represented the constituency as an AIADMK MLA, resigned from the Assembly and subsequently joined the TVK, leading to the by-election. The DMK has fielded S. Suganya, while the AIADMK has also entered the contest.

The remarks were part of a wider attack by Stalin on the TVK government during his campaign speech. He criticised Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's administration and urged voters to support the DMK candidate in the October 6 election.

The TVK's response has focused specifically on Stalin's references to Sathyabama. The party has described the comments as inappropriate and demanded an apology, while the disputed remarks have become another point of confrontation between the DMK and TVK in the run-up to polling.

There has been no detailed response from Stalin or the DMK to the TVK ministers' demand for an apology in the material reviewed. The Dharapuram bypoll will be held on October 6, with counting scheduled for October 9.