DMK deputy general secretary and Nilgiris MP A. Raja on Sunday (September 13, 2026) expressed regret over his alleged derogatory remarks directed against Tamil Nadu Minister for Energy Resources and Law C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, after attracting widespread criticism.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kumar reacted to Mr. Raja’s remarks, saying, “Whenever questions are raised against the DMK regarding corruption, betrayal and lies, the weapon it takes up is either violence or obscene speech. The people will soon write the DMK’s epilogue in Tamil Nadu politics.”

The recent exchange of barbs stemmed from Mr. Raja’s alleged derogatory remarks against Mr. Kumar during a protest against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Saturday in Chennai, condemning his alleged body-shaming gesture against DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during his Assembly speech recently.

Mr. Raja’s remarks against Mr. Kumar came against the backdrop of the latter questioning the reason behind the arrest of Mr. Stalin under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) when Emergency was proclaimed in 1976.

On Sunday, Mr. Raja, a former Union Minister, regretted his remarks against the Minister after receiving widespread criticism on social media platforms. CPI (M) State secretary P. Shanmugam condemned Mr. Raja for his remarks. He said, “It is unbearable to see some DMK leaders repeatedly speaking in a derogatory manner about women and party cadres cheering them on after listening to such remarks. How is the DMK president watching as Mr. Kumar’s mother is insulted?”

In a post on X, Mr. Raja said, “I regret that, in an emotional impulse, I questioned the identity of the person who repeatedly and deliberately mocked a leader [M.K. Stalin] who was born out of sacrifice, by calling his identity a lie. I have no hesitation in taking back my words. If you do not mend your ways, you will be made to do so.”