‘Take money, blow the whistle’: Vijay’s twin attack on Stalin over cash payout, alliance | India News
New Delhi: Tamilga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay delivered a high-voltage campaign speech in Salem on Friday, training his fire on two pressure points – the DMK government’s Rs 2,000 cash payment for women and what he called his own “political bombshell” that unsettled Chief Minister MK Stalin.Addressing a cheering crowd, Vijay took aim at the DMK government’s cash transfer scheme for women, under which Rs 3,000 was released as an advance, with an additional Rs 2,000 pledged later. He alleged that the move was designed to influence voters and framed the contest in purely moral terms. “Would you vote for ‘good’ TV or ‘evil’ DM?” He urged people to “take the money, but play the whistle”, a reference to his party’s election symbol.
“My vote is my right. No one can buy us. Our vote is for the flute,” he said.Questioning the timing of what he described as the “summer bonanza”, Vijay said, “Does summer come only this year? This special allowance was announced because flutes are being heard on every street and in every house.” He claims that Stalin was unsettled by the growing popularity of TV, especially among women voters.Pushing back against criticism that he lacked administrative experience, the actor leaned into the allegations. “We have no experience in looting,” he quipped.
‘Political Bomb’
The speech also came amid Vijay’s new political message on alliances. He claimed that his earlier promise to share power with allies had become a “political bombshell” in Tamil Nadu. “Do you remember my political bombshell at the Vikravandi rally; the power sharing proposal? It is now exploding recklessly in all alliances, CM Stalin sir is upset and he says that power sharing will not suit Tamil Nadu,” he said.For the DMK, the alliance is only for victory and for everything else, like governance, they will remain on their own, asserted Vijay.Stalin on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of a coalition government in the state, a suggestion by Congress leaders ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.“Power sharing will not suit Tamil Nadu,” the Chief Minister said. “Both Congress and DMK are aware that power sharing will not work in Tamil Nadu. But some are trying to create division between the two parties,” he said.The Chief Minister, however, said that the DMK’s alliance with the Congress will continue. Some are trying to break the alliance, but it won’t happen. We will choose together.The statement put renewed pressure on the DMK-Congress alliance and Congress MP Manikam Thakur hit back at Stalin after he publicly dismissed the power-sharing claim as a “conspiracy”. Tagore, one of the most vocal advocates of partnership in Congress rule, questioned Stalin’s comments in a one-line post on X: “How can it be called a conspiracy to seek a role (a part) in serving the people, in the spirit of friendship?” The subtle response, including a thinking-face emoji, suggests that at least a section of the party is reluctant to soften its stance even after the DMK chief drew a clear red line.
