Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, speaking publicly for the first time since Saturday evening’s tragic stampede in Karur that claimed 41 lives, targeted Chief Minister MK Stalin and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), hinting at a possible conspiracy ahead of next year’s elections.
Chief Minister sir. if you have plans for revenge, do anything to me. Don't harm my leaders. I will be at home or in office," Vijay declared solemnly in a video message, wearing grey.
He dismissed charges against his party of negligence during the rally, saying, "We did nothing wrong except speaking at the specified place. But our leaders, friends, and social media associates have been given police cases." Speaking against claims that TVK was insensitive to crowd safety, he further added, "My political career will go on with more intensity."
The DMK was quick to act. Party leaders pointed out the delay in Vijay's statement, claiming he had to own up to the tragedy. DMK spokesman A Saravanan claimed, "This is a script again. It took (four) days to release a video?" The party drew a comparison with Stalin going to Karur hours after the incident.
DMK MP A Raja commented on Vijay's departure from the spot during the stampede, saying the actor's departure "means someone has a guilty conscience," while Kanimozhi informed NDTV that Vijay "should have heeded the advice of the police. police instructed the party to halt (Vijay's campaign bus) a few meters away from the area. (to provide room for the crowd).".
Vijay's biting comments follow the arrest of TVK functionary Mathiyazhagan under charges of attempt to murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and endangering public safety. General Secretary N 'Bussy' Anand and Joint General Secretary Nirmal Sekar have also been charged with cases.
Furthermore, a third complaint, lodged by an unidentified police official, charges Vijay with "wanton exercise of authority" in conducting unscheduled detours on his ride back from a rally in Namakkal, 35 km away, allegedly to create hype that led to the stampede. In his video, however, Vijay maintained that neither he nor his party transgressed any protocol, claiming that the rally was held in a safe area.
"On the tour we did not make any compromises on the safety of people. we shelved all political matters and took permission from the police for such (safe) spots. But. what shouldn't have happened, happened. I have never had such a painful moment. My heart is filled with pain," he explained.
"The individuals who lost their lives emerged out of their love for me. I owe them a debt for this love," said the actor, whose increasing political visibility in Tamil Nadu has set high hopes for a paradigmatic change.
Rebuking criticism that he abandoned the place and didn't go to the homes of victims personally, Vijay clarified, "I am human too. How can I leave when so many were affected. I wanted to go back. but that could have caused more untoward incidents. So I avoided returning."
He also wondered why Karur had been targeted, observing, "Why in Karur?" while pointing out that TVK had staged rallies elsewhere without incident.
Karur Assembly seat was captured by DMK's V Senthil Balaji, once an AIADMK leader and Transport Minister in a corruption scandal, in 2021. The bigger Lok Sabha seat is with Congress' S Jothimani, who won in 2019. Talking to NDTV following Vijay's remarks, Jothimani said the attention should still be on the victims: "We need to first put our attention on people who lost their lives and those who are being treated.". These conspiracy theories are for him (Vijay) to clarify. I have encountered affected individuals numerous times.
TVK has become a force to be reckoned with for next year's polls, boosted by the popularity of Vijay as well as his bitter criticism of the DMK. He has brushed aside the possibility of an alliance with Stalin's party, adding to the growing animosity between the two factions. During a party function in Madurai last month, Vijay made his position clear, declaring that his "only ideological foe" is the BJP and his "only political foe" is the DMK.".
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