TVK MLA causes a flutter, upset at Congress MP getting to light the lamp ahead of him at community baby shower ceremony in Tiruchi

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s Tiruverumbur MLA, Navalpattu S. Viji, caused a flutter when he seemingly tried to take away a candle from Congress Rajya Sabha Member Christopher Tilak while he was about to light a traditional lamp at a ‘Samuthaya Valaikappu’ (community baby shower) organised here on Monday (October 6, 2026) by the Department of Social Welfare.

Upset at Mr. Tilak being handed the candle ahead of him, after HR&CE Minister S. Ramesh, the District Collector, and other TVK MLAs had lit the lamp, Mr. Viji tried to get hold of the candle held by the MP, while gesticulating and making a point. In the melee, the wax candle with flame fell down. Mr. Ramesh and officials quickly intervened and pacified Mr. Viji and asked him to light the lamp.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Mr. Ramesh tried to downplay the incident, claiming that the MLA was only insisting on following the protocol. He dismissed suggestions that there was a rift among the TVK members and those who joined the ruling party from the AIADMK or its allies. “You should have seen us work [in the byelection campaign] in Dharapuram. We all worked together as siblings, and we are united by love. Do not try to create unnecessary confusion,” he said in response to a question.

He denied that the TVK had distributed cash to voters in the run-up to the byelections. “I do not want to respond to unsubstantiated charges,” Mr. Ramesh said, commenting on CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugham’s allegation that the TVK had distributed cash to voters. “If there is proof, let them take action. Are there any complaints from the public?” he wondered, when pressed further. He maintained that the TVK had sought the votes of the people honestly.

He dismissed DMK president M.K. Stalin’s and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s claims that the public mood had turned against the TVK owing to the “rise in the prices” of essential commodities and power tariff. He recalled that Mr. Stalin had said the TVK would not even win a single seat in the 2026 Assembly election. The Opposition leaders were claiming that the party would get 3%-5% votes at best, but the TVK was voted to power. “There is no public sentiment against the TVK; the people are keen to ensure the victory of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay again and again,” he said, claiming that the Opposition had tried to set a narrative by orchestrating a few instances of sloganeering.