'I apologise on his behalf': Vijay after minister's Karunanidhi reference
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay Joseph apologized in the state assembly after a minister referred to the late DMK leader M. Karunanidhi without using the customary honorific 'Kalaignar'. The incident caused a brief protest from opposition members, prompting the CM to intervene to maintain decorum.
Why it matters
It highlights the importance of political etiquette and the sensitivity surrounding legacy figures in Indian regional politics.
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.
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