Karur stampede: Is Vijay's TVK edging closer to BJP? Aadhav Arjuna's Del ...
Four days after the stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s campaign rally killed 41 people in Karur, his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) seems to be inching close to the ruling party in the Centre.While Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Nainar Nagendran had concretely denied any meeting of the TVK representatives with the BJP's high command in Delhi, TVK general secretary (Election campaign management) Aadhav Arjuna’s visit to the national capital has triggered speculations in Tamil Nadu.
Aadhav Arjuna, who joined the TVK recently, had been one of the key figures of the party, organising Vijay's campaign rallies and other programmes along with Vijay's close aide Jagadish Palaniswami. Aadhav sparked a controversy recently when he posted a tweet on social media platform X, saying that the youth of Tamil Nadu may have to resort to an uprising against the ruling government, similar to those seen in Sri Lanka and Nepal; he deleted it subsequently.
Following this, a case was booked against him under Sections 192 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 196(1)(b) (Promoting enmity between different groups) 197(1)(d) (makes misleading information, jeopardising the sovereignty and integrity or security of India) 353(1)(b) and 353(2) for a statement conducing to public mischief of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
A day after the case was registered, Aadhav has reportedly set out for Delhi, along with a few of his confidants. In Delhi, sources say that Arjuna is likely to call on top BJP leaders to ensure that a CBI probe is ordered to inquire into the Karur stampede and the death of 41 people. The TVK has been alleging a "political conspiracy" into the stampede, which it says was orchestrated by the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the administration. The TVK had also approached the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court seeking a CBI or independent investigation.
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However, the Tamil Nadu police registered a case and charged the TVK office bearers with negligence a day after the stampede. On Tuesday, the Karur police arrested TVK west district secretary V. P. Mathiazhagan, and central town secretary Ponuraj, who were produced in the Karur district court and remanded in Trichy central jail.
The Karur town police also registered a case against TVK general secretary N. Anand alias ‘Bussy’ Anand, and the party’s joint general secretary Nirmal Kumar. While Anand and Nirmal Kumar had moved the High Court seeking anticipatory bail, the police formed special teams to arrest them. The FIR accused them of delays, mismanagement, and chaos at Vijay’s Karur rally triggered the stampede killing 41 people.
Meanwhile, the Union home ministry has reportedly sought an explanation from Vijay’s security officers regarding the alleged security lapses. Sources also say that Vijay, who has been provided with Y category security, might get additional cover.
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