A verbal altercation broke out between TVK Thiruverumbur MLA Navalpattu Viji and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Christopher Tilak during a government event in Trichy on Monday, with the TVK MLA knocking a ceremonial lamp from the MP’s hand over an alleged protocol issue, as reported in Times of India.
The incident took place during a baby shower event organised by the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Trichy in the presence of Tamil Nadu HR&CE Minister S Ramesh.
Minister Ramesh initially lit the ceremonial lamp, followed by Trichy District Collector Prateek Dayal and TVK Musiri MLA Vignesh.
When it was the next person’s turn to light the lamp, an argument reportedly broke out between MLA Viji and MP Christopher Tilak over who should light it first.
According to reports, Viji objected to what he felt was a violation of protocol and knocked the lamp from Tilak’s hand. Minister Ramesh then intervened and pacified the TVK MLA, following which Viji proceeded to light the lamp.
Speaking to reporters later, Minister Ramesh downplayed the incident and denied that there was any dispute between the two leaders.
“MLA Viji just wanted to follow the protocol and light the lamp first. There is no fight between TVK and Congress or with any other alliance partner,” Ramesh said.
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