Chennai : Actor and political entrant Vijay, the chief of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has ignited a political firestorm by hinting at a vendetta and conspiracy by the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) following a tragic stampede at his rally in Karur that claimed the lives of 41 people over the weekend.
Breaking his four-day silence in a sombre video message released on Tuesday evening, the superstar expressed profound anguish but defiantly shot down accusations that his party failed to follow safety protocols.
“My heart is full of pain,” a visibly distressed Vijay stated, adding that he has “never faced such a painful situation” and is indebted to the people who died due to their love for him.
However, the core of his message was a direct and challenging attack on Chief Minister MK Stalin. Vijay dared the CM: “Chief Minister sir… if you have revenge plans, do anything to me. Don’t touch my leaders.” He strongly defended his party, saying they “did nothing wrong except speaking at the designated spot” and had taken steps to ensure the rally was held at a safe, police-approved location.
DMK Slams Delay, Demands Responsibility
The DMK was quick to retaliate, calling the video message a calculated “script” that came too late. DMK spokesperson A Saravanan pointed out the four-day delay in Vijay’s response and stressed that the TVK chief must accept responsibility for the deaths, alleging his party “broke the rules.”
The ruling party contrasted Vijay’s late response with Chief Minister Stalin’s swift visit to Karur just hours after the tragedy. Senior DMK MP A Raja added fuel to the fire, stating that Vijay’s decision to leave the scene immediately after the chaos, under the guise of restoring calm, suggests a “guilty conscience.”
The political bitterness is playing out against a backdrop of legal action, with TVK functionary Mathiyazhagan already arrested. Cases have also been filed against General Secretary N ‘Bussy’ Anand and Joint General Secretary Nirmal Sekar. Crucially, Vijay himself has been charged in a third case with ‘deliberate display of power,’ alleging he made unscheduled stops en route to intentionally delay his arrival and build up hype—a delay that prosecutors suggest contributed to the overcrowding and stampede.
The TVK, a dark horse expected to be a major factor in next year’s election, has faced severe criticism for the incident. Despite the mounting pressure, Vijay reiterated his resolve, declaring, “My political journey will continue with renewed vigour.”
