Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nainar Nagendran on Monday expressed regret for a comment he made about actress Trisha Krishnan that drew widespread criticism from political parties and the public.
Addressing reporters, Nainar Nagendran said his remark was unintentional and expressed regret if it had caused hurt. “This was a statement made by mistake,” he said, adding that BJP All India women’s wing chief Vanathi Srinivasan and senior party leader K. Annamalai had spoken to him about the matter. “If anyone has been hurt by my statement, I express my heartfelt regrets,” Nainar Nagendran said.
Nagendran acknowledged that his choice of words was inappropriate and described it as a slip of the tongue. He told reporters that in his political career he has not made personal attacks and had deviated from that practice in this instance.
Reaction Came After Trisha Krishnan’s Statement
The controversy began after Nainar Nagendran made the reference to Trisha while speaking about actor-turned-politician Vijay and his political ambitions. Nainar Nagendran had criticised Vijay’s experience and said, “Poor man, he is completely inexperienced. First, he needs to come out of his house. Come out of Trisha’s house first, then something can happen.”
In response, Trisha issued a statement through her legal counsel condemning the comment as “distasteful and inappropriate.” The statement, shared on her social media platforms with the caption “Disrespect should and always will be called out,” said that she “never expected that such a distasteful and inappropriate remark would be made by a person holding a high stature in the State’s political space.”
Her legal notice clarified that she is not affiliated with any political party and has “always taken a neutral stand when it comes to politics.” It added that she “wishes to be defined only by her craft and not by any alleged political alignment,” and requested that her name “not be drawn into matters that do not concern her.”
Political Leaders Criticised Nainar Nagendran
Earlier, several political leaders criticised Nainar Nagendran for his remarks.
DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said such comments reflected the mindset of those making them and called on political leaders to maintain dignity in public statements.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said dragging a woman into political criticism was inappropriate and demanded accountability from the BJP leadership.
DMK spokesperson T. K. S. Elangovan said personal attacks against women had no place in public discourse and described the remark as unacceptable.
The incident occurred amid heightened political activity in Tamil Nadu ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
– Magizh
