TRICHY: A verbal argument played out in the open on Monday between TVK Thiruverumbur MLA Navalpattu Viji and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Christopher Tilak in the presence of HR&CE Minister S Ramesh.At a baby shower event organised by the ICDS in Trichy on Monday, minister Ramesh first lit the ceremonial lamp, followed by district collector Prateek Dayal and TVK Musiri MLA Vignesh.However, when it was the next person’s turn to light the lamp, a brief argument broke out between TVK Thiruverumbur MLA Viji and Congress MP Christopher Tilak over who should light it first.Angered that the ‘protocol was not being followed’, the TVK MLA knocked the lamp from the Congress MP’s hand. Minister Ramesh then intervened and pacified him, after which the TVK MLA lit the lamp.Later, speaking to reporters, Ramesh downplayed the argument and denied any tiff between them. “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,” he said.Meanwhile, DMK leaders criticised the incident. DMK Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson said, “Is this the respect and dignity offered to an MP from a minority community? Who granted the MLA the authority to prevent a Christian from lighting a lamp at a govt event?” he wrote on X.