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

Tamil Nadu forest minister RV Ranjith Kumar’s reference to the DMK stalwart as “Karunanidhi” sparked immediate objections from opposition DMK members.

Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay stepped in to de-escalate the situation. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay apologised in the assembly on Monday after a minister referred to former CM M Karunanidhi by name without using the customary honorific.

“I apologise on his behalf,” Vijay said, bringing the tension in the assembly to an end.

Minister mentioned Karunanidhi instead of Kalaignar Karunanidhi and CM Vijay apologized for it ❤️👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/7XOvDham7z

— easwar (@easwar1246) August 17, 2026

Karunanidhi referred to without title

Tamil Nadu forest minister RV Ranjith Kumar’s reference to the DMK stalwart as “Karunanidhi”, without the customary use of “Kalaignar” (scholar) or “former chief minister”, sparked immediate objections from opposition DMK members.

The controversy arose during a debate on the demands for grants for the health and revenue departments. Kumar was speaking about past cash-for-votes practices and referred to the “Thirumangalam formula”.

He claimed that voters in his Kancheepuram constituency had received up to ₹1,500 per vote in earlier elections.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-cm-vijay-apologises-after-minister-mentions-karunanidhi-by-name-101787017261951.html