'Appa is in people’s hearts': M K Stalin responds to CM Vijay's 'Appa-va Kaanom' (Your father is missing') remarks

TRICHY: DMK President and former chief minister M K Stalin asserted that 'Appa' remains registered in the hearts of the people, while replying to chief minister C Joseph Vijay. Stalin made the observations while addressing an event in Tiruvarur on Thursday after Vijay had made a veiled remark saying 'Appa-va Kaanom' ('Your father is missing!') in the Legislative Assembly earlier this week.M K Stalin participated in the wedding reception of former Dairy Development Minister U Mathivanan’s family. While addressing the gathering, Stalin drew attention to chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s reply to the opposition parties on the concluding day of the recent Legislative Assembly sessions on Tuesday.Stalin stated, “The chief minister has said ‘Unga Appa va Kaanom’ (Where’s your father?). Do not look for ‘Appa’ there.

‘Appa’ lives in the hearts of the people. Whether I am present in the Legislative Assembly or not, I am always present in the 'people’s assembly'.”Vijay’s comments were interpreted as an indirect taunt directed at Stalin, who frequently refers to himself as ‘Appa’, particularly after Stalin’s defeat in the state assembly election when he was not elected to the assembly this year.Stalin called on the chief minister to examine the files in the Secretariat, pointing out that his signatures had approved the launch of several major schemes including Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam, Pudhumai Penn Thittam and Tamil Pudhalvan Thittam.

“You do not have to search for me. I am in the Secretariat and I am the one ruling,” Stalin declared.Stalin referred to former chief minister C N Annadurai’s statement that he would be remembered for renaming the state as ‘Tamil Nadu’. “As long as schemes like Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam continue to exist, Stalin remains the Chief Minister,” he declared.Speaking about parties leaving the DMK alliance, Stalin remarked, “Following the footsteps of Kalaignar (M Karunanidhi), I would not leave my alliance.

However, I cannot comment if the allies choose to leave.” The DMK President added that people believe ‘alliance is needless’. “We will soon consider it,” Stalin said.During his speech, Stalin pointed out that farmers in Tamil Nadu’s delta region are yet to receive Cauvery River water for irrigation this year. He claimed, "Our (DMK) government opened the Mettur Dam on time in the five years since 2021."The DMK leader mentioned that he has been in politics for 60 years and has consistently worked for the people. Stalin recalled that he had carried out inspections and review meetings across various districts. “No Chief Minister would have travelled across the state, conducted review meetings and visited the Secretariat like I did,” Stalin asserted.