“Highly inappropriate, undignified”: TVK Dharapuram candidate Sathyabama on Stalin’s remarks
TVK candidate V Sathyabama condemns MK Stalin's remarks as undignified and has approached the ECI regarding alleged body shaming.
In a heated political escalation ahead of the Dharapuram by-election, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate V Sathyabama has launched a scathing attack on former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. Condemning his recent comments as "highly inappropriate and undignified," Sathyabama stated that such language is unbecoming of a leader of a major political movement.
The controversy erupted following remarks made by Stalin during a campaign meeting in Dharapuram on Friday. While supporting the DMK candidate, S. Suganya, Stalin reportedly referred to Sathyabama using the terms “Petti Bama” and “Palti Bama” while questioning her transition from the AIADMK to the TVK. TVK leaders have alleged that these comments amounted to body shaming.
ECI Intervention Sought
The TVK has officially approached the Election Commission of India (ECI), seeking strict action against Stalin. The party alleges that his statements constitute a direct violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Speaking to the press, Sathyabama expressed deep personal distress over the nature of the insults.
“This is a senior leader and the leader of a major political movement. Using such words is highly inappropriate and undignified. Such language does not befit the leader of a political movement,” Sathyabama said. She added that the remarks, combined with the "objectionable and dangerous" language used by certain cadres on social media, have created a worrying environment.
A Question of Women's Safety and Dignity
Sathyabama raised significant concerns regarding the impact of such rhetoric on women in society. She challenged the DMK's stance on women's rights, questioning how a movement can claim to stand for safety if its leadership uses derogatory language.
“He also has women in his own family — his mother is a woman, his wife is a woman, his daughter is a woman, and his daughter-in-law is a woman. Every household has women. Has anyone stopped to think about how women would feel when they hear such statements?”
She further argued that the behavior of political cadres is a reflection of their leadership. “If the leader himself does not think about these issues, how can we expect the cadres to think differently? Cadres tend to follow the example set by their leader. So, what kind of safety and dignity can women expect within such a movement?”
Loss of Public Decorum
The TVK candidate suggested that the DMK has already begun to lose the support of women voters due to this lack of basic political decorum. She noted that even newcomers to the TVK demonstrate more restraint and dignity in their public discourse than the remarks made by the former Chief Minister.
“They do not seem to understand how one should speak on a public stage. I believe we may have to teach them what political and public-stage decorum means,” she remarked.
Dharapuram Bypoll Context
The Dharapuram by-election was triggered after former AIADMK MLA P. Sathyabama resigned from her party to join the TVK. The upcoming contest features a high-stakes battle between:
- V Sathyabama (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam)
- S. Suganya (DMK)
- K. Bhanumathi (AIADMK)
Polling for the Dharapuram by-election is scheduled to take place on October 6.