Senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader A Raja on Sunday expressed regret over his remarks on Tamil Nadu minister CTR Nirmal Kumar during a public rally, following backlash from several quarters including his own party.
Several parties, including the Congress and the Left, slammed him for the remarks, as well as DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi. After Raja criticised chief minister C Joseph Vijay for his assembly speech `taunting’ DMK president M K Stalin , he targeted Nirmalkumar for alleging that the DMK leader was imprisoned for `dubious activities’ and not for his opposition to Emergency. He questioned Nirmalkumar’s parentage, a remark which drew widespread condemnation, including from the CPM .
The sacrifices of Stalin were intentionally and repeatedly degraded and mocked as a “lie”, he said, without mentioning the state minister and his earlier statement questioning Stalin’s detention under MISA. The former Union minister said he was driven by an impulse of emotion, and in order to convey the “pain” (caused by Kumar’s statement), he had made that comment. Raja said: “I have no hesitation in withdrawing my words.”Apparently warning Kumar, the DMK leader also said: “If you do not change, you will be corrected. Earlier reporting noted: Chennai: A day after facing a severe backlash, DMK MP A Raja expressed regret over his controversial remarks against TVK minister C T R Nirmalkumar and said he had no hesitation in taking back his words. Earlier reporting noted: “I regret questioning the identity and truth behind the person who mocked and deliberately slandered a leader who is epitome of sacrifice,’’ Raja said in a statement on X. “It is unbearable that some DMK leaders continue to demean women while cadres cheer them,” CPM state secretary P Shanmugham said.
The DMK deputy general secretary, while taking part in a protest organised by his party on Saturday to condemn the speech of chief minister C Joseph Vijay in the assembly, made some derogatory remarks against the minister for natural resources and law CTR Nirmal Kumar over him switching parties. Raja, without naming Kumar, said in a social media post on Sunday that he also regretted “questioning him. Raja however warned that “those who do not correct their ways would be forced to mend themselves.’’ Earlier reporting noted: The backlash was for Raja’s remarks made at a DMK protest in Chennai’s Saidapet on Saturday.
The people will soon write the DMK’s failure in politics.”
Minister for energy resources and law CTR Nirmal Kumar, responding to the remark made by Raja said: “Whenever questions are raised against the DMK about corruption and lies, the weapon it takes up is either violence or obscene speech.
