New Delhi, Aug. 18 -- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday stepped in to calm an uproar in the state Assembly and apologised after Forest Minister R V Ranjith Kumar referred to former chief minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi by name without using the customary honorific "Kalaignar".

The reference triggered an immediate protest from opposition DMK members, who objected to what they described as a breach of the traditional protocol followed while referring to the late leader in the Assembly.

Vijay intervened while Ranjith Kumar was speaking and acknowledged that Karunanidhi should not have been referred to in that manner.

"I apologise on his behalf," Vijay said, bringing the tension in the House under control.

The co...