Vijay slams Stalin, says CM's real friends are 'bribe, corruption'
Vellore (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Launching yet another scathing attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, TVK founder Vijay on Monday alleged that the DMK president's real friends are "bribe, corruption, and eyeing political gains."
Vijay, who has been mounting sharp attacks against the DMK and Stalin in particular, dared the CM to declare his assets disclosing the financial status before he stepped into politics.
"What was the source. Was it your hard earned money or it was amassed after you came to power? Can you declare it openly," the actor asked the CM and added that if he raised the issue of corruption, then all corrupt elements would "fling mud on us."
But he was not concerned about that because people know about him.
He also accused the chief minister of making false promises to the people and sought to debunk the governing party's claim of having developed the Tamil Nadu into a "superstar state".
He alleged Stalin's "real friends are bribe, corruption, and eyeing political gains."
The CM and the ruling party has often said that the state registered, under the DMK rule, double-digit economic growth rate of 11.19 per cent (2024-25).
Addressing a meeting of party functionaries here, Vijay termed the Assembly polls due in April this year as a "surprising election" as all parties in the state are allegedly teamed up against him and reiterated that the contest was between the DMK and TVK only.
Flaying the DMK's poll narrative of polls as a fight between "Tamil Nadu and Delhi--NDA," he said the battle was actually between the state's people and corruption and alleged that the DMK government was "inept."
The Assembly election is "a war between Vijay and Stalin," he said, and reiterated his refrain that TVK is a "pure force" and accused the DMK yet again as an "evil force".
Rejecting the DMK's claim of having developed Tamil Nadu into a superstar state, Vijay, the chief of the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) said that the state was "such a superb" on during the times of iconic leaders K Kamaraj, CN Annadurai and M G Ramachandran.
Dubbing the DMK regime as "good-for-nothing ulta model government," he alleged the state has been transformed into a super-standup comedian-run state.
The TVK chief, targeting the CM again, said that he was not concerned about his personal life.
"Be what you want to be. But your governance is flawed and not required for TN," he alleged.
The actor-politician claimed that Tamil Nadu meant Vijay and he represented the entire state.
Referring to Stalin's statement that he had no foes in politics and that all were his friends, Vijay asked, "then why blame me for Karur stampede," referring to the tragedy during a TVK rally that killed 41 persons and injured many.
Further, he asked: "Why refuse venue and permission for TVK (rallies and events), if we are friends...you did everything and blamed us for Karur tragedy."
Praising people for superb clarity, he said he would visit every village and personally meet the people once the TVK formed the government following a huge win in the 2026 Assembly election.
Vijay, who arrived to a rousing reception by party workers at Agaramcheri village near the Pallikonda toll plaza on the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway in this district, administered a pledge to the TVK members.
"No one can buy us, our vote is for (party symbol) whistle. We won't believe anyone and get deceived. We won't deviate from our words. This is the truth," Vijay said and asked his party workers to repeat after him.
Vijay reiterated that the TVK's stand was secularism and social justice.
He continued to wear his trademark white shirt and a sandal-like mild coloured trouser, while sporting his usual stubble.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bengal: Hours after killing of Suvendu's aide, cops say 5 BJP workers injured in bomb attack
Kolkata (PTI): Five BJP supporters have been injured allegedly in a bomb blast in Panihati in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, police said on Thursday.
The incident occurred late on Wednesday night, hours after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants, which led to the saffron camp accusing the TMC of unleashing retaliatory violence.
The bomb blast occurred near St Xavier's Institution in Panihati. Unidentified assailants hurled crude bombs at a group of BJP workers, injuring at least five people, police said, adding the injured were admitted to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
According to local sources, BJP workers were interacting with residents on Dutta Road in Panihati's Ward number 2 when a group of motorcycle-borne persons allegedly targeted them with bombs before fleeing.
The BJP alleged that the attackers were backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress, an allegation denied by the Mamata Banerjee-led party.
A senior police official said, "We have started an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to identify those involved. Raids are being conducted to nab the accused."
A heavy police deployment has been made in the area.
"We are maintaining strict vigil and appealing to people not to spread rumours. Necessary steps are being taken to maintain peace," the officer added.
Incidentally, the area where the blast occurred is located near the residence of newly elected BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, the mother of the RG Kar Hospital rape victim.
