Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Aug 18: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay apologised in the state Assembly on Monday after Forest Minister RV Ranjith Kumar referred to former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi by name without using the customary honorific, bringing an end to a tense exchange with opposition DMK members.

The controversy erupted during a debate on the demands for grants for the Health and Revenue departments, when Kumar spoke about alleged cash-for-votes practices in previous elections and referred to the so-called “Thirumangalam formula”.

Kumar claimed that voters in his Kancheepuram constituency had received up to ?1,500 per vote during earlier elections. He contrasted those elections with the present administration, saying the government had come to power without paying voters in exchange for their votes.

While discussing different election strategies, the minister referred to DMK patriarch and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi simply as “Karunanidhi”, without using the customary term “Kalaignar” or referring to him as a former chief minister.

The remark immediately drew objections from DMK members, who said respected former leaders were traditionally addressed in the Assembly using appropriate titles and honorifics.

Former minister KKSSR Ramachandran led the objections as the issue escalated during the minister's speech.

Vijay intervened while Kumar was speaking and indicated that the reference to the late DMK leader in that manner was inappropriate.

The Chief Minister then apologised on behalf of the minister, saying, “I apologise on his behalf.”

The apology helped defuse the situation and brought the tension in the Assembly to an end.