Chennai, September 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
DMK MP A. Raja has withdrawn his controversial remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay following widespread criticism from political parties, including leaders of some parties in the DMK-led alliance.
The controversy erupted during statewide demonstrations organised by the DMK on Saturday against the TVK government. The Opposition party accused Chief Minister Vijay and Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar of insulting the sacrifices of DMK leaders and those who were imprisoned during the Emergency.
Senior DMK leaders P.K. Sekar Babu and R.S. Bharathi also criticised the Chief Minister during protests held in different parts of Tamil Nadu.
However, Raja’s remarks targeting Vijay and Nirmal Kumar triggered a fresh political controversy and shifted attention away from the DMK’s allegations against the government.
Several TVK functionaries and ministers condemned the DMK MP’s comments, calling them personal, offensive and unbecoming of a senior parliamentarian. Leaders of some parties allied with the DMK also expressed disapproval, while a section of DMK supporters reportedly distanced themselves from the remarks on social media.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore was among those who criticised Raja’s speech. He said personally attacking a state Chief Minister and using abusive language posed a serious threat to democratic values.
Tagore also questioned why the DMK leadership remained silent when senior party functionaries repeatedly crossed the limits of acceptable political discourse. Political differences, he said, should be expressed without personal attacks or indecent language.
Amid mounting criticism, Raja announced that he was withdrawing his remarks. In a post on X, the DMK MP said he had no hesitation in taking back his words.
However, his post retained the combative tone of his original speech. Raja said he regretted questioning the “identity” and “truth” of a person who, according to him, had deliberately mocked the identity and truth of a leader born out of sacrifice.
“I have no hesitation in withdrawing my words. If you do not change, you will be corrected,” Raja said in the post.
The episode has intensified the political confrontation between the ruling TVK and the Opposition DMK while also renewing debate over political discourse in Tamil Nadu, with leaders across party lines calling for restraint and respect in public speeches.
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