Chennai:The DMK on Friday made a sarcastic “coconut tree bending towards a neighbour” remark targeting the VCK and IUML after they joined the TVK government, prompting the VCK to retort that it “did not grow at the mercy of other parties”. Aiming to assuage the feelings, DMK chief M K Stalin appealed to party members not to use harsh words as to hurt anyone.

Both Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and IUML, allies of the DMK till the 2026 Assembly election, announced support to the TVK government which fell short of a simple majority of 118 in the Assembly. VCK leader Vanni Arasu, who emerged victorious from Tindivanam Assembly constituency and A M Shahjahan who was elected from Papanasam were sworn in as ministers by Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar at the Lok Bhavan here today in the presence of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

Shahjahan was made Minister for Minorities Welfare while Vanni Arasu was made Minister for Social Justice. DMK deputy general secretary A Raja, with a penchant for making controversial remarks, alluded the two parties joining the TVK Cabinet as a “coconut tree bending towards a neighbour”.