'I apologise on his behalf': Vijay after minister's Karunanidhi reference

Chief Minister C Vijay Joseph of Tamil Nadu extended an apology in the legislative assembly on Monday following a minister's reference to former Chief Minister and DMK icon M Karunanidhi without the customary respectful title. State forest minister R V Ranjith Kumar had used the term "Karunanidhi" instead of the traditional "Kalaignar" moniker, prompting objections from opposition DMK legislators.

Vijay interjected to quell the unrest, admitting that the reference was improper and expressing regret on behalf of the minister. The controversy unfolded during a debate on funding requests for the health and revenue departments. Ranjith Kumar was lambasting allegations of vote-buying schemes and cited the so-called "Thirumangalam formula," alleging that his constituency in Kancheepuram had received up to Rs 1,500 per vote during prior elections.

He contrasted this with the current administration, stating it had assumed office without doling out cash for votes. During his remarks, Ranjith Kumar casually mentioned Karunanidhi without the customary "Kalaignar" or "former chief minister" designation. This triggered an immediate backlash from DMK members, including former minister K K S S R Ramachandran, who invoked the assembly's longstanding tradition of using respectful titles for revered leaders.

In response, Vijay halted Ranjith Kumar's speech and intervened to avert a potential confrontation, recognizing that referring to the late leader without the customary honorific was improper.