A M Shahjahan, the Tamil Nadu minister for Minorities Welfare, sharply criticized remarks made by DMK MP A Raja and other party officials, arguing that the opposition was “digging its own grave” amid concerns about its political future.
In a statement to reporters in Nagapattinam, Shahjahan said the DMK leadership appeared out of balance after recent electoral setbacks. The IUML leader said the party’s alliance had scored zero in 10 districts and finished third in 59 constituencies for the first time.
The minister also expressed worry about the decline in political discourse, referring to a protest held on Saturday. He noted that political criticism had turned into personal attacks, including remarks that targeted women and families, and warned that such conduct was being watched by the people of Tamil Nadu.
Shahjahan pointed to a May 22 post by Raja on X, which he described as “substandard” and harsh. He claimed the post was later altered and that former parliamentarians and DMK headquarters functionaries had repeatedly used similar language against the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam‑led government. He said the comments made by Raja, former minister P K Sekar Babu and other DMK functionaries during the September 13 protest represented the peak of this trend.
