TN stampede: Didn't visit Karur since it would lead to an 'unusual' situation, says Vijay
Chennai (PTI): Days after a rally led by him in Tamil Nadu's Karur witnessed 41 stampede deaths, TVK founder, actor Vijay on Tuesday said he hasn't visited the affected persons so far as his presence there would lead to an "unusual situation." Challenging Chief Minister M K Stalin, Vijay said the CM could "do anything to him," but not his party colleagues.
He insisted he did nothing wrong and that the truth behind the fatal incident would come out.
The top actor said he has never faced such a "painful situation" in his life.
"I didn't visit Karur as it would lead to an unusual situation. I will meet you (families of victims, the injured) soon," he said in a video message posted on his social media page.
His response came following criticism from various quarters for not visiting Karur and meet the victims' families and the injured.
Vijay said the truth about the fatal incident will come out soon, and hinted he was ready to face action.
"You may do anything to me," he said, even as his party colleagues including senior leaders Bussy N Anand and CTR Nirmal Kumar are police facing case in connection with the September 27 stampede in Tamil Nadu's western Karur district, about 400 km from state capital Chennai.
Seeking to take on the ruling DMK over the matter, he said "CM sir, if you have a thought of seeking vengeance, you may do anything to me and not touch the party men."
On the day of the incident, he had left Karur hastily, considering people's safety, he claimed.
Vijay insisted he did nothing wrong.
"I did not do any wrong; my political journey will continue with renewed vigour," the actor-politician added.
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Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee holds roadshow in south Kolkata to end campaign
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee undertook a roadshow in south Kolkata spanning over six kilometres on Monday afternoon at the fag end of campaigning for the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly election.
The TMC chief was accompanied by party Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose and candidates Aroop Biswas and Debasish Kumar from Tollygunge and Rashbehari, respectively.
People waiting on the roadside and on rooftops and balconies waved at Banerjee as she greeted them with folded hands, walking briskly, as her party compatriots had a tough time keeping pace with her.
The chief minister is contesting from the Bhabanipur assembly seat, where she is pitted against her bete noire, Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP, who defeated her in the 2021 elections in Nandigram.
Banerjee was subsequently elected from Bhabanipur in a byelection.
The roadshow started at Sukanta Setu in the Jadavpur area and culminated at Gopalnagar crossing, past her Kalighat residence, with two small stopovers in between.
TMC flags, festoons, cutouts of Banerjee and banners with slogans in favour of the candidates adorned the roadsides through which the road show passed and culminated at around 5.30 pm.
A large number of TMC supporters participated in the roadshow that Banerjee conducted to end her campaign for the 2026 assembly election in West Bengal.
