Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Accuses BJP of Politicizing Karur Stampede Tragedy for Electoral Gain

The September 27 stampede at a rally addressed by Vijay left 41 dead. (File)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday accused the BJP and the government led by it at the Centre, of "showing no genuine concern" over the tragic stampede in Karur, and said the saffron party wanted to "capitalize" on the incident in view of next year's Assembly election.

He questioned why an NDA MPs delegation was urgently sent to Karur to investigate the stampede cause. He pointed out that similar teams were not dispatched to inquire about the Manipur riots, Morbi bridge accident in Gujarat, or the Kumbha Mela stampede in Uttar Pradesh.

"There's clearly no genuine interest or concern. It's merely a calculated attempt to gain political advantage for the upcoming 2026 Assembly election," Stalin stated at a government event in Ramanathapuram.

Stalin characterized the BJP as "a parasite that survives on the blood of others, accustomed to riding on others' backs." He added, "The BJP is exploiting the Karur stampede to identify potential political allies. Regardless of what masks they wear, how many supporters they recruit, or who newly joins them, Tamil Nadu remains beyond their reach," stated the DMK president.

He described the BJP as a "washing machine" for those evading accountability for wrongdoings and criticized the AIADMK for allegedly betraying Tamil Nadu's interests by forming electoral alliances with the BJP.

Stalin noted that when Tamil Nadu experienced three major natural disasters, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman neither visited nor allocated funds to the state. "Yet she promptly rushes to Karur now," he remarked.

The stampede incident occurred on September 27 at a rally addressed by actor Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, resulting in 41 fatalities.

The Chief Minister also alleged that RSS had previously attempted to assassinate former Chief Minister Kamaraj, asserting that protecting people from such forces was his duty. "This mission will continue under the Dravidian model 2.0," he affirmed.

Stalin accused the Centre of failing to prevent recurring attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan coast guard. He maintained that retrieving the Katchatheevu islet ceded to Sri Lanka would provide a lasting solution to the fishermen's issues, referring to the state Assembly resolution on this matter.

During the event, the CM inaugurated development projects worth Rs 738 crore in the district, including a new building for Thangachimadam government higher secondary school and a hostel for college students in Paramakudi.