CM Vijay's Karur speech earns DMK, AIADMK backlash: 'Who ran away?'

Nearly ten months after the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives during a campaign by Tamilaga Vetteri Kazhagam (TVK), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay visited the district for the first time, announcing a memorial for the victims and handing over government job orders to their family members.

However, his speech quickly turned political, with sharp criticism of the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) triggering an immediate counterattack from both the DMK and the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

Also read: 10 months after stampede, Karur was waiting for Vijay, not answers | Reporter's Diary

Vijay also defended his government's handling of the tragedy and accused the previous DMK government and the police of responsibility for the tragedy last September. His remarks have intensified the political battle ahead of the Karur Assembly by-election.

The chief minister's visit comes at a politically significant time, with former AIADMK minister M R Vijayabhaskar having resigned as an MLA and joined the TVK, making Karur one of the state's closely watched electoral battlegrounds.

Attack on DMK

During his address, Vijay reserved some of his strongest criticism for senior DMK leader and former Karur legislator and state minister V Senthil Balaji, mocking him as someone who was constantly "absconding" from scrutiny. He projected his government's anti-corruption measures as evidence that the DMK had become uncomfortable with the investigations.

The chief minister's "absconding" remark was seen as a reference to the alleged Rs 35-crore MLA-poaching case in which Balaji has been named as an accused. However, before Vijay's Karur speech, the Madras High Court had already granted Balaji anticipatory bail with the condition that he report to the police daily.

The political attack quickly became the dominant talking point of the event, overshadowing the welfare announcements made for the stampede victims' families.

DMK accuses Vijay of using by-election ploy

Balaji responded through a post on X, accusing Vijay of fleeing the venue while people were dying. He contrasted Vijay's actions with those of then chief minister M K Stalin, alleging that the DMK supremo had rushed to Karur to supervise relief efforts and ensure medical treatment for the injured.

DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan also dismissed Vijay's allegations, accusing the chief minister of spreading false propaganda.

"If a family's sole breadwinner dies, helping that family is justified. But this is different. With the Karur by-election nearing, this is an attempt to influence voters," Elangovan said.

Also read: Back in Karur, Vijay alleges police conspiracy for September 2025 stampede

Elangovan further rejected Vijay's allegation that the DMK and AIADMK were working together, pointing out that the two parties have remained political rivals for more than five decades. He also described the distribution of government jobs to victims' families as an exercise timed to influence voters ahead of the by-election.

Kanimozhi reacts

DMK Deputy General Secretary and MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi also criticised the chief minister while speaking in the state's Thoothukudi.

She said the Karur stampede remains under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and urged political leaders to act responsibly instead of politicising the issue. Kanimozhi questioned who had abandoned the people during the tragedy and who had stood by them, saying the public already knew the answer.

She also criticised TVK ministers' visits to schools, saying they had unnecessarily disturbed students.

"For some time now, MLAs from the ruling government have been visiting places they shouldn't, creating unnecessary problems for the people. They have even entered schools, causing distress and affecting the mental well-being of children. Even during the stampede, people clearly saw who stood by them and who abandoned them and ran away," the DMK leader said.

AIADMK blasts Vijay

The AIADMK, which recently saw many of its members joining the TVK, also slammed Vijay's speech, questioning how a chief minister could accuse the opposition of corruption while not apologising for the Karur tragedy.

The party said the ongoing CBI investigation would establish the truth and argued that Vijay's remarks did not reflect the restraint expected from someone holding a constitutional office.

Also read: Karur visit: CM Vijay broke down in tears, says MP Jothimani

The criticism meant that both principal opposition parties found common ground in questioning the chief minister's handling of the issue.

By-election focus

The controversy has unfolded against the backdrop of the Karur by-election following the resignation of Vijayabhaskar, who recently joined the TVK.

During Friday's (July 10) rally, Vijayabaskar shared the stage with Vijay, presented him with a ceremonial sword and predicted "permanent rule" for the TVK in Tamil Nadu.