Vijay apologises in Assembly after Minister’s Karunanidhi remark sparks DMK protest

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay apologised in the Assembly on Monday after Forest Minister R V Ranjith Kumar referred to former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi without the customary honorifics. The reference led to protests from DMK members, who argued that it violated the established conventions of the House

Vijay intervened during the proceedings and acknowledged that the late leader should not have been referred to in that manner. He apologised on behalf of the minister and helped bring the situation under control.

The incident occurred during a debate on demands for grants concerning the Health and Revenue departments. Ranjith Kumar was speaking about alleged cash-for-vote practices and referred to the so-called Thirumangalam formula. He claimed that voters in his Kancheepuram constituency had previously been offered as much as Rs 1,500 per vote.

The minister contrasted those elections with the current administration, saying the government had secured power without paying voters. During his account of earlier electoral practices, however, he referred to Karunanidhi only by name, without using titles traditionally associated with the former chief minister.

DMK legislators, including former minister K K S S R Ramachandran, objected loudly. As the protests grew, Vijay intervened and stopped the minister’s speech. He accepted that the reference had been inappropriate and issued an apology, after which the House returned to the debate.