AIADMK Targets Vijay Over Karur Stampede, Questions Leadership and Political Credibility

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has intensified its attack on actor-turned-politician Vijay, accusing him of political immaturity, narcissistic conduct, and moral inconsistency, while holding him accountable for the deaths of 41 people in the Karur rally stampede last year. The sharp criticism comes amid heightened scrutiny of Vijay’s political entry ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Targeting the founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the AIADMK questioned Vijay’s attempts to project himself as a credible alternative to both the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the AIADMK. In a strongly worded social media post, the party directly linked Vijay to the Karur incident, asking whether he bore responsibility for the deaths that occurred during a rally addressed by him.

The opposition party alleged that Vijay failed to show accountability after the tragedy, claiming he stayed away from public view for several days due to fear of legal consequences and kept his party office closed instead of engaging directly with affected families. The AIADMK criticised what it described as a symbolic and self-serving approach to expressing condolences, alleging that Vijay summoned the families of victims to Chennai rather than visiting Karur himself.

According to the party, such actions reflected a form of self-centred politics rather than empathetic leadership. It accused Vijay of turning a moment of grief into a publicity exercise and questioned the sincerity of his outreach to the families of the deceased. The AIADMK said this pattern of behaviour raised concerns about his suitability for public leadership.

The party also rejected Vijay’s recent claims that the AIADMK has been subservient to the Centre, asserting that it has never compromised its political independence. In a pointed remark, the party recalled Vijay’s earlier interactions with the AIADMK leadership during his film career, questioning his current stance against the party.

Further attacking Vijay’s political positioning, the AIADMK questioned the consistency of his moral arguments, pointing out that he has retained leaders associated with previous AIADMK governments while publicly labelling the party’s past rule as corrupt. The contradiction, it argued, weakened his claim of representing a new and principled political alternative.

AIADMK national spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said Vijay was still behaving like a performer rather than a political leader. He alleged that Vijay’s statements were designed to draw applause rather than reflect a serious understanding of governance or party organisation. According to Sathyan, dramatic rhetoric may resonate with fans but does not translate into effective political leadership.

The criticism comes as Vijay’s political journey continues to face intense examination. In September last year, 41 people were killed in a stampede at a rally he addressed in Karur district. The case is currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation, and Vijay has been questioned multiple times in connection with the incident.

Despite the controversy, Vijay has maintained that his party represents the only credible force capable of challenging both the DMK and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK, however, has dismissed this claim, arguing that leadership requires accountability, consistency, and sustained engagement with the public—qualities it says Vijay has yet to demonstrate.