Tamil Nadu Assembly Confrontation: Stalin and Opposition Clash Over Karur Stampede Tragedy

AIADMK leader EPS labeled the incident as a consequence of governmental negligence.

During the first Tamil Nadu Assembly session following the tragic Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives, Chief Minister MK Stalin attempted to forestall opposition criticism but nonetheless faced significant challenges.

On Wednesday, before opposition parties could address the issue under special provisions, the DMK leader requested permission from the Speaker to deliver a comprehensive statement regarding the tragedy.

In his address, Stalin avoided mentioning Vijay by name but attributed the disaster to "indiscipline of the cadre" of the actor-politician's party, TVK, stating that the September 27 rally where the stampede occurred was poorly organized.

Stalin explained, "The TVK chief arrived seven hours after the scheduled time. While permission was requested for an event between 3 pm and 10 pm, they advertised a noon start time on social media. People began gathering in the morning, resulting in overcrowding."

The Chief Minister noted that police had instructed the TVK convoy to stop before reaching the venue due to overcrowding and conduct the rally there, but organizers disregarded this advice. "As the van proceeded despite police instructions, overcrowding, respiratory distress, and panic spread among women and children," he stated.

He further criticized the organizers for failing to provide essential amenities such as drinking water, food, and toilet facilities, particularly for female attendees.

Refuting allegations of insufficient police presence, Stalin detailed, "A total of 660 police personnel were deployed - 515 from Karur and 91 from other districts. Though TVK anticipated 10,000 attendees, we deployed additional officers expecting larger crowds. Ambulances were dispatched immediately after police reported the stampede."

Stalin announced that new guidelines for public rallies were being developed to prevent similar incidents and urged all parties to ensure discipline at mass gatherings. "When discipline breaks down, the party suffers. All political organizations must commit to preventing such incidents. The government will adhere to the Supreme Court's ruling on this matter," he affirmed.

Tamil Nadu Transport Minister SS Sivasankar revealed that TVK supporters attacked two ambulances during the chaos, hindering rescue operations, and clarified that footwear seen flying in footage was thrown by the crowd "not to attack but to signal for water."

Opposition leader and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) responded forcefully, attributing the tragedy to governmental negligence. "Why did authorities grant permission knowing the venue was inadequate for the expected attendance? Why was the post-mortem conducted hastily at midnight? There are serious concerns about a potential conspiracy," EPS alleged.

He highlighted inconsistent statements from senior police officials and questioned why bureaucrats addressed the media while a commission was investigating the incident.

This sparked heated exchanges between both political factions.

Minister Durai Murugan questioned why the opposition couldn't "recognize the chief minister for promptly visiting the site and taking immediate action."

"That's his obligation," EPS retorted.

Stalin countered, "Following that reasoning, would you apply the same standard to the Thoothukudi police shooting when you were chief minister?" referring to the 2018 incident where 13 anti-Sterlite protesters lost their lives.

EPS responded, "Then why didn't you visit Kallakurichi after the illicit liquor tragedy?" referencing the incident from June last year that killed 60 people.

Stalin replied that ministers were immediately dispatched to the scene.

The Chief Minister also outlined the state's emergency response, noting that 152 doctors and nurses were mobilized from neighboring districts and 400 additional beds were provided at Karur Government Hospital.

AIADMK legislators ultimately walked out in protest.

The confrontation highlighted the intensifying political tensions approaching next year's Assembly elections. Both the AIADMK and BJP - who recently revived their alliance - have been courting Vijay's TVK party, perceived as an emerging political force.

Although Vijay previously described the BJP as his "ideological enemy" and dismissed alliance possibilities, the Karur tragedy has placed his party under intense scrutiny. Political analysts suggest this crisis will serve as a critical test for TVK, which must now decide whether to maintain its current course or reconsider its political strategy.