TN Minister Shahjahan Slams DMK Remarks, Says Opposition ‘Digging Its Own Grave’

Tamil Nadu Minorities Welfare Minister A M Shahjahan on Monday strongly condemned recent remarks by DMK MP A Raja and other party functionaries, alleging that the opposition was “digging its own grave” amid growing anxiety over its political future.

Speaking to reporters in Nagapattinam, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader said the DMK appeared to have lost its balance following what he described as unprecedented electoral setbacks.

“Speaking like this will not yield any benefit to the DMK. It is equal to them digging their own grave, and it is highly condemnable,” Shahjahan said.

He attributed the DMK's recent statements to its electoral reverses, claiming that the party's alliance had drawn a blank in 10 districts and finished third in 59 constituencies for the first time.

Shahjahan also expressed concern over what he termed the declining standards of political discourse in Tamil Nadu, particularly criticism directed at women and families.

“Where is Tamil Nadu politics heading? Political criticisms are gone, and attacking women and families is very sad,” he said, adding that the people of the state were closely watching such developments.

Referring to a series of exchanges between leaders of the ruling and opposition camps, Shahjahan alleged that Raja had posted a “substandard” and harsh criticism on X on May 22, the day he assumed charge of his ministry. The post was subsequently altered, he claimed.

The minister further alleged that former parliamentarians and DMK headquarters functionaries had repeatedly used what he described as “substandard” language against the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led government.

He said remarks made by Raja, former minister P K Sekar Babu and other DMK functionaries during a September 13 protest represented the culmination of this trend.

Shahjahan's remarks come amid escalating political exchanges in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling alliance and the DMK-led opposition trading accusations over political conduct and public discourse.