Following an alleged offensive comment against female Shaivites and Vaishnavites, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin dismissed Minister K. Ponmudy from his role as DMK Deputy General Secretary on Friday. His comments had been denounced by K. Kanimozhi before to M.K. Stalin’s action.

Stalin announced the move in a statement, but he gave no explanation for his choice. The action came shortly after the opposition BJP demanded that Ponmudy be removed from the cabinet due to a scandal that was triggered by the minister’s reportedly offensive comment.

The vice president of the BJP’s TN branch, Narayanan Thirupathy, said on social media, “Minister Ponmudy’s continued serving in his position is shameful….CM Stalin, will you order Ponmudy’s arrest?”

Kanimozhi took aim at her party colleague, saying, “Minister Ponmudy’s recent speech is unacceptable.”

The BJP leader said that the minister’s comments denigrated Tamil Nadu women.

She said in a post on ‘X’, ‘For whatever reason he had stated, such nasty comments are condemnable.’

Kanimozhi’s critique of Ponmudy was well received by Thirupathy. In the past, the minister has stirred up controversy by associating the selling of pani puri with North Indians. He had sharply questioned who was selling pani puri in Coimbatore, perhaps referring to the mostly Hindi-speaking sellers in the market, in an apparent jab at people who assert that learning Hindi ensures employment.