Tamil Nadu polls: Vijay’s Tiruppur rally called off after 15 faint in scorching heat

NEW DELHI: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president Vijay's rally was abruptly cancelled in Tiruppur district after at least 15 supporters collapsed due to severe heat and overcrowding.According to news agency PTI, a scheduled 6-kilometre roadshow was cancelled on Tuesday on police advice after 13 women and two men fainted. The crowd began assembling at the venue from 10 am in anticipation of the campaign. Vijay, who was expected to address the public at 4pm, arrived at approximately 4:45pm. Local volunteer teams and police personnel rushed the affected individuals to nearby primary health centres. Most are reported to be in stable condition.Upon receiving reports of medical emergencies and worsening crowd conditions, Vijay called off the address to avoid a repeat of the 2025 Karur stampede.After a campaign event at the Perumanallur Four Road junction, Vijay was scheduled to proceed to Pooluvapatti for a roadshow. Despite police permission, an overwhelming surge of supporters along the Perumanallur–Tiruppur stretch caused severe congestion, bringing movement to a halt.Acting on police advice, the roadshow was cancelled, and Vijay later departed for Coimbatore via the Salem–Cochin National Highway.The development comes in the backdrop of the recent Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives. Following a Supreme Court directive stressing the need for an independent probe, the case was transferred from a state Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the CBI.The agency is continuing its probe, focusing on crowd management, the timeline of the leader’s arrival, and coordination between organisers and local authorities.Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4.The main contest is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance — comprising the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK — and the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance, which includes the BJP and PMK.Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his electoral debut with TVK, potentially turning the contest into a three-cornered fight.