Vijay Returns to Campaign, Slams DMK After Karur Stampede

TVK chief Vijay returned to the campaign trail two months after a stampede at his Karur rally, addressing a crowd in Sunguvarchattiram in the nearby Kanchipuram district. He used the moment to sharpen his critique of the ruling DMK, calling its politics loot and dynasty and insisting TVK is built on a solid ideological foundation centered on equality, with a push for a caste census as a key plank.

He argued that DMK questions about TVK's ideology miss the point, saying the party stands on clear principles and has proposals that distinguish it from the ruling front. Among these, he endorsed moves to shift education issues to the state list in the Constitution and stressed a focus on equality while underscoring TVK’s demand for a caste census as part of a broader social reform agenda.

The remarks come as Tamil Nadu politics continues to reel from the September 27 stampede at a rally in Karur that left 41 people dead. Eyewitnesses described a surge toward the stage that overwhelmed barricades, with several people fainting as ambulances faced a congested ground. Volunteers formed human chains to aid rescue operations and clear pathways for responders. Vijay and his campaign team have framed the tragedy as a turning point that intensifies the need for accountability and new political ideas.

Ahead of the next phase of campaigning, Vijay announced an outreach programme planned for Sunday, describing it as the first public event since the tragedy. He said the effort would reach out to cadres, supporters and local residents, aiming to reassure communities while outlining TVK’s vision for the state.

In the wider Tamil Nadu political landscape, the exchange between TVK and DMK is shaping voter expectations as the campaign season progresses. Supporters say the party’s ideological stance and emphasis on caste census could resonate with specific voter groups, while critics caution that the real test will be translating principles into concrete policy and electoral gains.

Cover image source: BJP criticises T.N. Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin for calling Sanskrit a ‘dead language’ 🔗

#VijayTVK, #KarurStampede, #TamilNaduPolitics