Politics
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Vijay apologises after minister names Karunanidhi without title
Times of India··18 Aug
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on 17 August apologised after Forest Minister R.V. Ranjithkumar named former chief minister M. Karunanidhi without the customary honorific. DMK members protested. Vijay stopped the minister and said the manner of reference was wrong. He said he was sorry on the minister's behalf. Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar expunged the remarks.
Prism
What It Means For You
- If you follow Tamil Nadu Assembly procedure, Vijay apologised on 17 August after a minister omitted the usual title for Karunanidhi.
- Anyone watching the grants debate can note the Speaker expunged the forest minister's remarks.
- If you track DMK-TVK exchanges, the objection was led by former minister Ramachandran over House convention, not the cash-for-votes claim itself.
What's Happening
- On 17 August 2026, Forest Minister Ranjithkumar referred to Karunanidhi by name without Kalaignar or former chief minister.
- DMK members protested; Vijay halted the speech and apologised on the minister's behalf.
- Speaker Prabhakar expunged the remarks before the debate continued.
What The Minister Was Debating When The Name Was Used
- The House was taking up demands for grants for the health and revenue departments.
- Ranjithkumar cited the Thirumangalam formula and alleged payments of up to Rs 1,500 per vote in Kancheepuram in earlier polls.
- He contrasted that with the current government, which he said came to office without distributing money for votes.
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