CHENNAI: State BJP president Nainar Nagenthran courted controversy on Saturday for remarks apparently about CM C Joseph Vijay’s mother, in response to the latter’s “father is missing” jibe in state assembly.

Political leaders across party lines criticised Nagenthran, with social justice minister Vanni Arasu and TNCC chief B Manickam Tagore demanding an unconditional apology from him.Rejecting allegations that he had deliberately targeted the chief minister’s family, Nagenthran said his speech at a book-release function was being misinterpreted for political gain. “I am one who holds immense concern for mother, motherland and mother tongue,” he posted on X.Health minister K G Arunraj said TVK govt would respond to such remarks through its actions, not words. School education minister A Rajmohan described Nagenthran’s comments as “uncivilised” and unbecoming of a person holding a senior political position. “He spoke like a third-rate speaker. Such remarks are unfit for his position and dignity,” Rajmohan said.Vnanni Arasu accused the BJP of repeatedly denigrating women and called Nagenthran’s comments “disgraceful.”

BJP vice-president Khushbu Sundar also criticised Nagenthran for his “crude and unacceptable” remarks. Invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Nari Shakti, she said degrading women crossed political boundaries and amounted to hitting below the belt. “Women are not pawns in political battles,” she said, urging politicians to criticise policies without attacking women’s dignity.Tagore accused the BJP state president of using uncivil language. “This is not the first time he has stooped so low; it has become a habit,” he said. Former BJP state president and We the Leaders founder K Annamalai said Nagenthran’s comments had “crossed the boundaries of political decency.” Remarks involving a chief minister’s mother were unfortunate and unacceptable, he added.