The tagline for actor-turned-politician Vijay’s campaign, launched weekly every Saturday from September 13, is Unga Vijay Naan Varen (Your Vijay, I am coming). It was perhaps intended to position him as an alternative leader who would be available to people facing issues. Vijay was missing, however, when at least 40 people, including nine children, were killed on the night of September 27 in a stampede during his Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur. While the dead were still being counted that night, he left for Chennai on a chartered flight from Tiruchirappalli. Refusing to meet journalists at the airport and his residence, he issued a condolence message on social media, f, ollowed by an announcement of Rs 20 lakh solatium to families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh to the injured.

See Full Page