Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday performed a cinematic hand gesture imitating former Chief Minister M K Stalin during his speech in the State Assembly, drawing applause from his party MLAs while drawing the ire of DMK lawmakers.
Gesture draws mixed reactions
Vijay, who concluded his speech with the gesture, sought permission from the Speaker before performing it. The moment was captured on video and shared by news agency ANI. In the clip, Vijay raises his hand in a manner reminiscent of Stalin's characteristic style, prompting cheers from the ruling party benches. DMK members, however, expressed disapproval, with some accusing the CM of mocking the opposition leader.
Political context
The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in Tamil Nadu. Earlier in the year, Stalin had met with the Congress party over seat sharing for the upcoming assembly elections, as reported by ANI on March 4, 2026. Vijay's gesture is seen by political analysts as a strategic move to assert his party's dominance and taunt the opposition ahead of the polls.
The video of the incident has gone viral on social media, sparking debates about the decorum of the Assembly and the use of cinematic elements in political discourse.
