Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram criticised TVK MLA R Pallavi for repeatedly bringing her infant to public events. The remarks have revived debate over childcare, political optics and support for elected representatives with young children.
Karti Chidambaram questions TVK MLA's decision to bring newborn to public events
Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram has criticised Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA R Pallavi for repeatedly bringing her infant to public events, calling the practice “political showmanship and attention-seeking”. His remarks came after the first-time legislator from Tamil Nadu was seen holding her baby during an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at IIT Madras.
In a post on X, Chidambaram said he supported family-friendly policies, including workplace creches, maternity leave and paternity leave, but questioned the need to repeatedly take an infant to public functions.
“While I fully support family-friendly policies such as workplace creches, maternity leave, and paternity leave, repeatedly taking an infant to public events appears more like political showmanship and attention-seeking than practical necessity,” he wrote.
He added, “I hope @TVKVijayHQ will advise her suitably on this.”
Pallavi, a first-time MLA from the Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar constituency in Chennai, has previously faced criticism on social media for bringing her newborn to the Tamil Nadu Assembly premises.
Pallavi has been bringing her newborn to the Assembly premises during the ongoing session. Official sources said she leaves the baby with a caregiver in a room near the Assembly hall before entering the main chamber to participate in the proceedings.
The attendant looks after the child until the MLA returns, sources said.
Pallavi had also taken her baby to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK founder C Joseph Vijay on the Assembly premises, where he blessed the child.
Her decision to bring the infant to public places has drawn criticism online, with some social media users accusing her of “creating a scene” by carrying the child everywhere.
Responding to the criticism, Pallavi had defended her decision, saying she could not leave her newborn at home.
“What is there to create a scene? How can I leave the newborn at home? Please think and then make a comment; it is okay even if you do not understand the pain of others, but do not troll,” she had told a YouTube channel.
The MLA's response came amid the online debate over how elected representatives with young children manage their professional responsibilities and childcare.
Pallavi was elected from Chennai's Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar constituency in the April 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The Assembly session was scheduled to continue until September 8.
Chidambaram's latest remarks have brought renewed attention to Pallavi's decision to bring her infant to public engagements, with the Congress MP distinguishing between institutional support for working parents and taking babies to public events.
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