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

'I apologise on his behalf': Tamil Nadu CM Vijay after minister's Karunanidhi reference TOI News Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Aug 18, 2026, 08:38 IST Comments Share AA Text Size Small Medium Large Vijay apologises on minister's behalf for his Karunanidhi reference Tamil Nadu chief minister C Vijay Joseph apologised in the assembly on Monday after a minister referred to former CM and DMK patriarch late M Karunanidhi by name without using the customary respectful honorific.State forest minister R V Ranjith Kumar’s reference to the late DMK leader as “Karunanidhi”, without the traditional “Kalaignar” (scholar), triggered protests from opposition DMK members.Vijay intervened to defuse the tension, admitting that the reference was inappropriate and apologising on the minister’s behalf. “I apologise on his behalf,” Vijay said.The row erupted during a debate on demands for grants for the health and revenue departments. Ranjith Kumar was criticising alleged cash-for-votes practices and referred to the controversial “Thirumangalam formula”.He claimed that up to Rs 1,500 per vote had been distributed in his Kancheepuram constituency during previous elections. He contrasted this with the current government, saying it came to power without distributing money for votes.While referring to past election tactics, Ranjith Kumar mentioned Karunanidhi without the customary “Kalaignar” or “former chief minister” prefix. DMK members, led by former minister K K S S R Ramachandran, immediately protested, citing the assembly’s long-standing convention of using respectful titles for revered leaders.Vijay then halted the forest minister’s speech and intervened to prevent the protest from escalating, acknowledging that referring to the late leader without the customary honorific was inappropriate. The TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most."