Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K. Annamalai targeted the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led state government over the high death toll in Karur Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally stampede. Annamalai blamed the state police's intelligence failure for the deaths and demanded a CBI probe to unearth the cause of the stampede.
The former Tamil Nadu BJP president met injured victims undergoing treatment at the government medical college hospital in Karur and inquired about their well-being. Annamalai said the Karur BJP unit will offer an aid of Rs 1 lakh to the kin of those deceased in the incident.
Alleging local administration failed to protect the people, Annamalai demanded that the state government must suspend the district collector and district police chief immediately, and they should be placed under suspension until the probe is over.
Highlighting the deaths during the Chennai Indian Air Force air show event last year, Annamalai alleged the DMK government has repeatedly failed in ensuring the safety of the people. Expressing doubts over the state police's claim that 500 police personnel were deployed for bandobust, Annamalai said only a few personnel were physically present to manage the crowd.
Annamalai also questioned the one-member judicial probe ordered by the state government and demanded that the state government must hand over the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
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Urging the public to exercise caution while planning to attend such public events, Annamalai said he wouldn't blame the actor-politician for the stampede. Saying the actor-led party lacks experience, Annamalai said there are problems in his tour schedule, and the actor should amend it.
Annamalai said Vijay should avoid campaigns during weekend evenings and reschedule his tour itinerary.
At least 40 people, including 10 children and 16 women, have died in the stampede at Velusamypuram at Karur, during TVK leader Vijay's people outreach campaign on Saturday. The death toll is feared to increase as the health condition of 58 patients undergoing treatment is critical.
