Tamil Nadu CM says his ‘thick skin’ shields him criticism:Targets DMK over corruption, says he expected more from opposition

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay said on Thursday that his “thick skin” protects him from criticism as he stepped up his attack on the ruling DMK ahead of the October 6 Assembly by-election. Vijay was campaigning in Madurantakam for TVK candidate Maragatham Kumaravel. He accused the DMK of trying to avoid questions about alleged corruption cases by making personal and defamatory remarks against him. ‘Raise questions about DMK, they make vulgar comments’ Vijay said the DMK believed younger voters were unaware of corruption cases dating back decades and therefore continued to project itself as having a “Mr Clean” image. “When I raise these old cases, they launch crude and defamatory attacks against us,” Vijay said. He alleged that instead of responding to questions about its past record, the opposition party was resorting to personal attacks. ‘Whether Stalin wins or loses, he is my uncle’ Responding to questions about why he repeatedly targets DMK president MK Stalin, Vijay said his criticism was aimed at questioning the party’s record. “Some people criticise me and ask, ‘Why do you always question Stalin?’” he said. Vijay then referred to Stalin as his “uncle”, saying, “Whether he wins or loses, he is my uncle. My beloved uncle.” Vijay calls election a ‘battle between good and evil’ Vijay again described the electoral contest as a direct fight between the TVK and DMK. He said, “The battle is only between two people. One is the pure strength of TVK, and the other is the evil force of DMK.” He also dismissed political equations and alliances being discussed ahead of the election, describing them as “pointless addition, subtraction and mathematics.” The TVK chief’s remarks came as campaigning intensified ahead of the October 6 Assembly by-election, with the party seeking to position the contest as a direct electoral battle with the DMK. ​