Vijay’s ‘Om Sakthi’ vs Udhayanidhi’s ‘Om Kali’: TVK-DMK Slogan War Intensifies

The TVK-DMK slogan war has intensified in Tamil Nadu, with DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin asking party workers to respond to TVK leader Vijay’s repeated “Om Sakthi, Parasakthi” slogan with a new counter-chant.

Speaking during campaign activity in Maduranthakam on September 27, Udhayanidhi asked DMK cadres to use the phrase “Om Kali, Jai Kali... TVK oru Odugali” at party meetings and while engaging with voters. The remark was framed as a response to Vijay’s use of “Om Sakthi, Parasakthi” while criticising the DMK.

The exchange adds another layer to the increasingly direct political contest between the DMK and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

How the Slogan Exchange Began

During a recent campaign event, Vijay used “Om Sakthi, Parasakthi” before supporters responded with a slogan describing the DMK as a “theeya sakthi”, or evil force. The remarks were part of his criticism of the DMK during campaign outreach.

Udhayanidhi subsequently told DMK workers to create a matching slogan targeting TVK. He asked cadres to repeat the new chant during future party meetings rather than directly naming Vijay.

The language used by both sides reflects the increasingly slogan-driven nature of campaign communication ahead of upcoming political contests in the state.

Karur Tragedy Becomes Part of the Political Attack

During the same campaign appearance, Udhayanidhi also referred to the Karur tragedy, in which 41 people died during a crowd incident last year.

He criticised Vijay over his handling of the incident and raised questions about his response at the time. These were political allegations made by Udhayanidhi during the campaign.

The Karur tragedy has continued to feature in political exchanges involving the TVK leadership.

BJP Reacts to the ‘Om Kali’ Remark

The slogan also drew criticism from BJP Tamil Nadu spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy, who questioned Udhayanidhi’s use of the religious phrase in a political slogan. The BJP's criticism was specifically directed at what it described as a reference to Hindu religious beliefs for political messaging.

The reaction has broadened the discussion beyond the TVK-DMK rivalry, with the slogan becoming a subject of debate over the use of religious references in political campaigning.

A Sharper Political Contest in Tamil Nadu

The latest exchange illustrates the increasingly direct rhetoric between the DMK and TVK. Vijay has repeatedly criticised the DMK in his campaign speeches, while Udhayanidhi has responded by targeting the TVK leadership and its political record.

For now, the “Om Sakthi” versus “Om Kali” exchange remains a campaign slogan battle rather than a formal policy dispute. Its significance lies in how both parties are using short, easily repeated phrases to communicate their political attacks to supporters and voters.