Vijay comes out of shell, forms panel to revive party

CHENNAI: A month after the tragic Karur stampede and a day after meeting the victims' families at a resort in Mahabalipuram, actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Tuesday resumed political activities, announcing the formation of a new 28-member administrative committee to coordinate the party's day-to-day affairs and intensify election-related work across Tamil Nadu.

The formation of the new committee is seen as a move to firefight fissures in the party, after the party's weak response to the Karur tragedy left cadre confused, leading to internal feuds among the rank and file.

Party insiders said the committee marks an important structural step towards strengthening Vijay's leadership framework and accelerating the party's preparations for its first electoral test.

Meanwhile, the actor-politician attacked the DMK government over the large-scale paddy going to waste due to alleged mismanagement in paddy procurement.

But the fallout of the Karur tragedy is still haunting Vijay's party as one of the victims sent back Rs 20 lakh solatium, hitting out at the party chief for desisting from visiting the affected at their homes.

"Money can't bring back my husband," Shankavi Perumal, wife of Ramesh, who died in the stampede. Hailing from Kodangipatti in Karur district, she said she was deeply disappointed that Vijay had not visited her family in person to offer condolences. "We expected Vijay to console us directly. During a video call, he assured us that he would meet us in person. But instead, he asked us to come to Mamallapuram. That was not acceptable to us. Money cannot bring my husband back. We wanted his compassion, not his contribution," she said, adding that she transferred the money back to the same bank account through which it was received.

However, TVK cadres alleged foul play, claiming that local DMK operatives influenced Shankavi to turn against the party.