CHENNAI: Even as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is seeking to rebuild the momentum that it lost after the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives last year, the CBI, which is investigating the case based on the direction by the Supreme Court, summoned its founder-president Vijay to appear before its investigation team in Delhi on January 12.

While party sources have confirmed receiving the summons, it is not clear whether he would personally appear for questioning.

The development, which the party circles allege is politically motivated, comes at a time when the Central Board of Film Certification has refused to clear Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan, which is scheduled to be released on January 9.

Earlier, the CBI had questioned senior leaders of the party, including general secretary N Anand, general secretary (election campaign management) Aadhav Arjuna, and joint general secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar on November 25. KP Mathiyazhagan, TVK’s Karur West district secretary, and MC Pounraj, another functionary, were also questioned. Subsequently, Karur Collector M Thangavel appeared for questioning on December 4.

While party sources have confirmed receiving the summons, it is not clear whether Vijay would personally appear for questioning or not would affect the efforts to intensify his campaign.

The stampede happened during a roadshow on September 27, organised as part of Vijay’s political outreach in Karur. What was to be a major event in the western belt descended into chaos, leading to the stampede that claimed 41 lives and drew national outrage.