Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay has begun reaching out virtually to the families of those who lost their lives in the September 27 stampede during his rally in Karur, which claimed 41 lives.

According to sources, Mr. Vijay started making video calls to the bereaved families on Monday (October 6, 2025), expressing condolences.

Focus Tamil Nadu: Why Vijay can’t shirk responsibility over Karur stampede
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Thamodharan B.

Vijay spoke to the family of K. Sakthivel of Emoor Pudur, who lost his wife Priyadarshini (35) and daughter Dharanika (14) in the incident, the family told The Hindu. “Vijay said the loss was unbearable and expressed his deep sorrow. He told me he would visit us soon,” Mr. Sakthivel said. “He spoke for about two minutes. Party functionaries later told me I could convey any further needs directly when he visits,” he added.

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Disbursal of TVK’s solatium

Mr. Sakthivel also said TVK functionaries informed him that they would soon announce the date on which the relief amount promised by the party would be disbursed.

Vijay also spoke to the family of S. Sudhan of Pudupatti, Senthamangalam East, who lost his 22-year-old wife Brindha. “He told me not to worry and that he would come in person soon,” Mr. Sudhan said, adding that the conversation was brief.

Tamilarasan, a relative of Dhanush Kumar (25) from Sengal village, said the actor spoke to Dhanush’s mother and sister. “Vijay expressed his grief and was silent for a while over the call,” he said.

Some other families also told The Hindu that TVK cadres had approached them saying Mr. Vijay would soon speak to them personally.

Also View: A visual timeline on how Karur stampede unfolded

Party sources said that a core team of TVK functionaries has been facilitating the interactions through video calls, connecting Mr. Vijay. The cadres have requested the families not to record or photograph the calls, sources added.

Congress leader V. Narayanasamy has urged Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy to emulate the stand taken by his counterpart in Tamil Nadu, C. Joseph Vijay, regarding the closure of several liquor outlets in the State and the issue of corruption.

“Mr. Rangasamy is known to be close to Mr. Vijay and recently, Tamil Nadu Minister N. Anand had met him at his residence. Just as his counterpart had given a promise during his swearing-in that he would not tolerate corruption, Mr. Rangasamy should take a vow not to allow corruption under the watch of his Cabinet. We will all appreciate a public proclamation from him to remove corruption from the Union Territory,” Mr. Narayanasamy said at a press conference on Monday (June 15, 2026). 

He contended that action was being initiated in Tamil Nadu against officers involved in corruption. Such administrative steps should be taken in Puducherry. Recently, a scam had surfaced in the Excise Department on the pricing of liquor by a company, he said, adding that there had been no further departmental proceedings regarding the same.

Mr. Rangasamy should take inspiration from Mr. Vijay on the closure of TASMAC liquor outlets. Around 700 outlets functioning near schools, colleges, religious places, and bus stands were closed after Mr. Vijay assumed office. In the last five years, resto bars and other liquor outlets have come up in large numbers in the UT, the Congress leader said. 

“The functioning of resto bars in the town have resulted in several law-and-order issues. There has been complaints from residents on the functioning of liquor outlets in their locality. Mr. Rangasamy should order the closure of all types of liquor outlets functioning in residential areas, as well as near educational institutions and religious places,” he said.

Delay in Ministry formation

Criticising Mr. Rangasamy over the delay in forming a complete Ministry in the UT, the Congress leader said the AINRC founder was also “in the habit of delaying portfolio allocation.”

“More than a month has passed since Mr. Rangasamy assumed office. There is no full Ministry yet. We are hearing that three more Ministers are going to be sworn in on June 17. During his previous tenure, one Minister was allocated a portfolio 138 days after assuming office, while another completed his tenure without being assigned any portfolio. He should not repeat this mistake. The Ministers should be allocated portfolios immediately. There has been a complete absence of governance over the last month because of the delay in the formation of the Ministry,” he said.