I am in people’s hearts, says Stalin in response to Tamil Nadu CM Vijay’s ‘where is your father’ slur

DMK President MK Stalin. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

In Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s sharp retort, “Where is your father?” Jab, DMK president MK Stalin said on Thursday (June 25, 2026) that he is in the hearts of the people.

At a wedding reception at former DMK Minister Mathivanan’s residence in Tirurvarur, Mr. Stalin recalled that when Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin raised various issues facing Tamil Nadu in the Assembly and demanded answers, the Chief Minister responded by saying, “Where is your father?”

“On one hand, there is the problem of power failure and on the other hand, it is a situation where water could not be released from Mettur dam in time for the farmers in Delta districts. As the Leader of Opposition, Mr. Udhayanidhi spoke at length about these problems in the Assembly and demanded answers from the Chief Minister, to which the Chief Minister responded,” Stalin said.

“Finds Stalin in files on social systems”

“I will not be where you are looking. Whether I am in the assembly or not, I remain in people’s hearts. I have signed a file giving a monthly grant of ₹ 1,000 to women under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai scheme. You will find Stalin there. Look at the Pudhumai Penn scheme file under which you will find my girl’s signature ₹ 000 every month) Pudhalvan Tamil scheme is giving ₹ 1,000 (to students, boys, it will also be there,” he said).

Quoting former Chief Minister CN Annadurai, he said that as long as there is a women’s rights grant scheme, he will remain “Chief Minister”. “Anna once said, ‘I have named the state Tamil Nadu. Whether I am in power or not, as long as the name Tamil Nadu is spoken, my name will endure.’ Likewise, as long as there is a grant scheme for women’s rights, I am the chief minister,” the DMK chief said.

Published – 25 Jun 2026 17:59 IST