DMK’s A Raja withdraws remarks after backlash over comments on CM Vijay

Chennai: DMK MP A. Raja has withdrawn his controversial remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay following widespread criticism from political parties, including some leaders belonging to the DMK-led alliance.

The controversy erupted during statewide demonstrations organised by the DMK on Saturday against the TVK government.

The Opposition party accused CM 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 strongly criticised the Chief Minister during the protests held in different parts of Tamil Nadu.

However, Raja’s remarks targeting CM Vijay and Nirmal Kumar triggered a fresh political row and shifted attention away from the DMK’s allegations against the government.

Several TVK functionaries and ministers condemned the MP’s comments, describing them as personal, offensive and unbecoming of a senior parliamentarian.

Leaders of some parties allied with the DMK also expressed their disapproval.

A section of DMK supporters reportedly distanced themselves from the remarks through social media posts.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore was among those who criticised Raja’s speech. He said personally insulting a state’s 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 disagreements, he maintained, should be expressed without resorting to personal attacks or indecent language.

Amid the 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, Raja’s post appeared to retain the combative tone of his original speech. He said he regretted questioning the “identity” and “truth” of a person who 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. It has also renewed the debate over the deteriorating standards of political discourse in Tamil Nadu, with leaders across party lines calling for restraint and respect in public speeches.

IANS