DMK sacks K Ponmudy as deputy general secretary over his derogatory remarks on women

Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Friday sacked senior leader K Ponmudy, also the Forest Minister, as the party’s deputy general secretary after an uproar over his derogatory remarks on women, sending a clear signal ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

Ponmudy was quickly replaced with ‘Tiruchi’ Siva, a Rajya Sabha MP, as one of the five deputy general secretaries of the DMK. There was also speculation that Ponmudy could also be removed from the Council of Ministers but there was no clarity till the time of writing.

“K Ponmudy is being relieved as the deputy general secretary of the DMK,” party chief M K Stalin said in a terse statement. The action came days after Ponmudy made disparaging remarks against women and compared Hindu Shaivite and Vaishnavite religious symbols to sexual positions.

The video of his speech made on April 6 at an event in Chennai has now gone viral. The action by the DMK came hours after party MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi condemned the minister for his comments, saying his remarks made in whatever context are unacceptable.

Sources said Stalin’s action against Ponmudy is aimed at sending a message that the party will not tolerate statements against women, especially ahead of the assembly elections.

Friday also saw another senior minister Durai Murugan apologising for his remarks on physically challenged persons.

Ponmudy, one of the senior most ministers of the DMK government, is known for making controversial statements. He was in the news a couple of years back for mocking women who avail the free bus scheme.

Ponmudy, a close aide of Stalin, is a professor-turned politician and is one of the five deputy general secretaries of the DMK. He is also placed sixth in the pecking order of the Cabinet headed by Stalin.