Vijay plans a major Salem rally as TVK revives its Tamil Nadu campaign after the Karur stampede. The event marks the actor-politician’s return to large public gatherings with enhanced safety measures ahead of Assembly elections.
Actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay is preparing to resume his statewide political campaign with renewed intensity, as the party plans a large public rally in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district. The rally marks a significant revival of TVK’s political activities after a tragic stampede incident in Karur district last year forced a temporary halt to its campaign momentum.
On September 27, 2025, Vijay’s election campaign event at Veluchamipuram in Karur district descended into chaos when an unexpected surge in the crowd led to a stampede. The incident left at least 41 people injured, raising serious concerns about crowd management and public safety at large political gatherings. In the immediate aftermath, TVK slowed down its campaign schedule and suspended several administrative and organisational programmes for nearly a month.
Party leaders described the pause as a necessary step to reassess safety protocols and administrative preparedness. During this period, Vijay refrained from major public rallies and instead focused on internal consultations and organisational restructuring. Senior party functionaries acknowledged that the Karur incident was a setback but insisted it would not derail TVK’s long-term political ambitions.
With the cooling-off period now over, TVK has restarted its political operations with greater planning and caution. A special general council meeting was recently held at a private venue in Mamallapuram under Vijay’s leadership. The closed-door meeting focused on strengthening the party’s grassroots network, improving booth-level coordination, and outlining the roadmap for the next phase of the campaign ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
According to party sources, Vijay stressed the importance of discipline, safety, and systematic mobilisation during public events. The leadership reportedly reviewed crowd control strategies, volunteer training, and coordination with local authorities to ensure that future rallies are conducted smoothly and safely.
Following the Mamallapuram meeting, Vijay began charting out his next round of public outreach programmes. Salem district has emerged as a key stop in this renewed campaign, with TVK planning a major public rally at Magudanchavadi. Party functionaries have formally submitted a petition to the police department seeking permission to conduct the event.
If approved, the Magudanchavadi rally will be Vijay’s first major live public gathering in Tamil Nadu since the Karur stampede. Party leaders believe the event will signal TVK’s return to full-scale campaigning and demonstrate that the party has learned from past mistakes.
Vijay’s first public appearance after the Karur incident took place earlier at Uppalam Harbour in Puducherry, where he addressed supporters in a relatively controlled setting. This was followed by another large public meeting on December 18, 2025, at Vijayamangalam in Erode district, which attracted sizeable crowds and was conducted without any major incidents.
Encouraged by the smooth conduct of these events, TVK is now planning the Salem rally on a much larger scale. The event, scheduled for January 13, is expected to feature enhanced security arrangements, improved crowd management systems, and increased coordination with local authorities to prevent any repeat of the Karur episode.
Interestingly, police had earlier denied permission for a TVK campaign event in Salem on December 4, 2025, citing security and logistical concerns. However, party leaders have since reapplied, expressing confidence that all necessary safeguards will be in place this time. Sources indicated that detailed safety plans have been submitted along with the application.
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Magudanchavadi also carries symbolic political significance. The location was once used by former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa during her 2016 Assembly election campaign, adding historical and emotional weight to Vijay’s planned rally. TVK leaders believe holding a major event at the venue will help connect the party with voters and reinforce Vijay’s image as a serious political contender.
As TVK pushes ahead with its revived campaign, the Salem rally is being closely watched as a test of the party’s organisational strength, public appeal, and ability to manage large crowds responsibly in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
