NEW DELHI: The Blame game has now taken centre stage as the probe into the Karur stampede deepens, with the latest charge from chief minister M K Stalin’s government. The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday released videos, during a press conference, showing TVK cadres allegedly breaking the cordon and running during the stampede. In a press conference, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leaders contested that the choice of venue was not suitable as it has a petrol bunk and, drainage canal.This comes after TVK chief and actor Vijay, in a video message, said that he had carefully chosen the places for the rally. “I asked for permission for 10 places and requested the police department accordingly,” he said.
Crowd doubled during rally
Talking about the incident, the DMK leaders alleged that TVK made a mistake while estimating the crowd as it doubled during the rally, and the crowd which followed TVK chief and actor Vijay took turnout to over 25,000.
Organisers did not oblige, TN government alleges
It further alleged that police asked Vijay to halt metres ahead of the designated spot due to overcrowding, but organisers did not oblige.“When Vijay’s vehicle entered the designated spot at Karur, the crowd surged, people moved sideways, making people to squeeze through,” the Tamil Nadu government added. It further claimed that the crowd increased from the afternoon, and some people assembled in the morning, leading to dehydration and exhaustion. A heavy crowd surged towards the electricity generator enclosure; later, the focus lights near that spot went off, it added.
Vijay cries vendetta
The statement from the Tamil Nadu government came after Vijay, in a video message, cried vendetta over the incident, questioning the chief minister whether he is trying to take revenge.He dropped a bomb on the Stalin government, questioning the FIR on TVK leaders.In the video message, he said that people are watching everything and they know the truth. “Soon, all the truth will come out.” He further challenged CM Stalin, saying, “Do whatever you want. I will be at home or in the office.”“We did nothing beyond that. CM sir, if you want to take revenge, do whatever you can, but do not touch them. I will either be at home or in the office. Do whatever you can. Friends, colleagues, our political journey will continue even stronger, with even more courage,” he said.
Narrow venue, power cut during Vijay’s rally. ‘Something fishy’: NDA panel
Meanwhile, an eight-member NDA delegation led by BJP parliamentarian Hema Malini questioned the choice of venue.“There was a power cut during Vijay’s rally. Something appears to be fishy, not natural,” Hema Malini told reporters, who visited the incident site.
