Chennai – In his first significant public address since the tragic Karur stampede, Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), intensified his criticism of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, hinting at political motivations behind the aftermath of the incident. The stampede, which occurred on September 27, 2025, during a TVK rally in Karur, resulted in the deaths of 41 people and injuries to over 100, casting a shadow over the burgeoning political career of the actor-turned-politician.
Addressing party members and supporters at a key TVK meeting, Vijay stated, "We will win,". This declaration comes amidst a backdrop of accusations and investigations following the Karur tragedy. Vijay has appealed to Chief Minister Stalin not to target his party members, offering himself up for any action instead. "If you want to take revenge, do whatever you can, but do not touch my party men. I will either be at home or in the office. Do whatever you can," Vijay stated.
The TVK leader has expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it the "most painful moment" of his life. He has also conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and promised to meet with them. On October 27, 2025, a month after the stampede, Vijay met with the families of the victims at a private resort in Mamallapuram, near Chennai. During the closed-door meeting, which was not open to the media, Vijay offered his condolences and assured the families of his continued support. He also collected information about their needs and promised additional financial assistance. Vijay was quoted as saying to the families, "You can consider me one among your family members. I share your pain and will stand by you in every way possible,".
The decision to hold the meeting in Mamallapuram rather than in Karur drew criticism from some political circles. TVK sources cited "logistical constraints" and "security reasons" for the change in venue. Vijay's camp stated that they were unable to arrange a meeting of such scale in Karur and that the private setting in Mamallapuram allowed for more personal interaction with the families.
In the wake of the stampede, the Tamil Nadu Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against various TVK leaders, including General Secretary N. Anand. Vijay has claimed that his party members adhered to the designated place and spoke as per the event's guidelines, stating, "Other than that, we did not do anything,".
The case has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for an independent probe, following a petition filed by TVK. A CBI team has already visited the site of the stampede in Karur.
The Karur stampede and its aftermath have intensified the political climate in Tamil Nadu, especially with the 2026 elections on the horizon. Vijay's TVK has emerged as a potential contender, challenging the dominance of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
