Tamil Nadu CM Vijay apologises after minister refers to ex-CM Karunanidhi by name

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay apologised in the Assembly on Monday after Forest Minister RV Ranjith Kumar referred to former chief minister M Karunanidhi by name without using the customary honorific “Kalaignar”.

“I apologise on his behalf,” Vijay said, intervening to end the tense exchange in the House.

Minister’s reference triggers DMK protests

The controversy erupted during a debate on demands for grants for the health and revenue departments. Kumar was discussing alleged cash-for-votes practices in previous elections when he referred to the “Thirumangalam formula”.

The minister claimed voters in his Kancheepuram constituency had previously received up to ₹1,500 per vote. He contrasted those elections with the current government, saying it had come to power without distributing money in exchange for votes.

While discussing different electoral strategies, Kumar referred to DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi only by his name, without using “Kalaignar” or “former chief minister”.

The reference immediately drew objections from DMK members, who said established practice in the Tamil Nadu Assembly requires respected former leaders to be addressed by their formal titles. Former minister KKSSR Ramachandran led the protests.

Vijay steps in

As the protests intensified, Chief Minister Vijay intervened and stopped Kumar from continuing. He said referring to the late leader without the customary honorific was inappropriate.

Vijay then apologised on the minister’s behalf, saying, “I apologise on his behalf,” bringing the tension in the Assembly to an end.