Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister M R K Panneerselvam has strongly criticised actor-turned-politician Vijay for calling Chief Minister M K Stalin “uncle” during a recent public meeting. The minister said the remark was disrespectful and showed a lack of political maturity.
Speaking to reporters in Cuddalore, Panneerselvam said Vijay seemed to have been carried away by the excitement of his fans and spoke as though he was delivering a movie dialogue. “Cinema and politics are not the same. This showed his lack of maturity. He targeted the DMK leadership, thinking it would help his political cause,” the minister said.
Vijay, who recently entered politics by launching the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has been addressing rallies across Tamil Nadu. At one such gathering, he referred to Chief Minister Stalin as “uncle,” sparking strong reactions from DMK leaders.
Panneerselvam stressed that the DMK government has been working hard to improve the lives of people through welfare schemes. He pointed out that the government is providing ₹1,000 monthly assistance to women, among several other initiatives. “We have faced many struggles and protests in the past. Our leader Stalin has dedicated himself to the people’s welfare through pro-people programmes,” he added.
The minister also underlined that leaders should maintain dignity and respect in political debates instead of resorting to film-style dialogue. “Politics is about responsibility and serving the people. Comparing it to cinema only shows immaturity,” he said.
Vijay, a popular Tamil actor with a massive fan following, announced his political entry earlier this year. His speeches and campaigns have been closely watched, especially as Tamil Nadu’s political landscape heats up ahead of the next assembly elections.
The row over his “uncle” remark highlights the friction between DMK and Vijay’s newly formed party. While DMK leaders have brushed it off as a publicity tactic, TVK supporters argue that Vijay is simply speaking in a way that connects with the public.
As political exchanges intensify, all eyes remain on how Vijay balances his star power with the demands of his new political career.
