BJP leader K. Annamalai has leveled criticism at V. Senthil Balaji, the DMK MLA from Karur, accusing him of appearing overly nervous amid ongoing investigations into the Karur stampede and thereby arousing suspicion over his conduct.
In a social media post, Annamalai recalled that after the tragedy, where 41 people died during a TVK rally in Karur, a group of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs met with affected citizens and recommended a judicial inquiry under a sitting Supreme Court judge. He pointed out that Senthil Balaji—who addressed the media today—had presented fresh claims regarding the Karur event, casting doubt on the seriousness of the situation.
Annamalai noted that TVK’s plea for a CBI investigation into the tragedy is up for hearing this Friday. He said that the TVK camp has submitted evidence including allegations of a slipper being thrown at Vijay during the rally, and that the court’s discretion will decide whether to accept or reject the evidence. He also cited that a woman had informed the NDA fact-finding committee of a stabbing at the event. “When such serious allegations exist, what reason was there for him to hold a media conference and dismiss them as rumors?” Annamalai asked.
He further criticized the DMK government for forming a commission to probe the suitability of the Karur venue, while party leaders like Senthil Balaji continue to make public statements about the incident. Annamalai also invoked past incidents — like the illicit liquor tragedy in Kallakurichi that claimed 66 lives, and severe flooding in the southern districts — to question the DMK’s moral authority to publicly judge the TVK.
“While the court and the investigating commission are actively engaged, the fact that a former minister is visibly nervous raises serious doubts,” Annamalai wrote.
