Karur stampede: After TVK, Edappadi Palaniswami raises security issues at AIADMK events, blames DMK for 41 deaths

Tamil Nadu Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami blamed the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led state government for the tragic Karur stampede. He held the government responsible for 41 deaths in the incident and accused the DMK government of treating Opposition parties unfairly when it came to providing security.

Campaigning in Dharmapuri, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader said that never before such an incident had happened during public meetings in the state. "Now, 41 people who attended a public meeting have lost their lives. The government must take responsibility for this," Palaniswami charged. 

Palaniswami charged during his recent campaign, proper security was provided only at six or seven places of the 163 constituencies he visited. "In other places, we conducted meetings with our support of cadres from AIADMK and allies." 

If Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had offered proper instructions to police, we would not have lost 41 lives, he charged. The former chief minister charged more security is given to events hosted by ruling party and its allies compared to security given for Opposition. 

As many as 41 people died in a stampede during Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay's campaign in Karur on September 27. The deceased include 10 children and over 15 women. Over 50 people suffered injuries in the tragic incident. The Tamil Nadu government has formed a one-member judicial commission to probe the incident.

In a video message, actor-politician Vijay alleged conspiracy behind the incident, and the party has demanded an independent probe. The party has moved the Madras High Court seeking probe by Central Bureau of Investigation or a Special Investigation Team.