Karur Stampede Victims' Agony Deepens as Political Storm Brews
In the quiet corners of Karur, the echoes of a tragic stampede that claimed 41 lives on September 27 continue to reverberate, leaving families shattered and grappling with an ever-growing sense of loss. V Jayasri, grandmother of two-year-old Dhruv Vishnu, the youngest victim, points to a framed picture of the child in her home, her voice trembling with emotion. "We have not recovered. With each passing day, the pain only grows," she says, her words a poignant testament to the enduring grief.
Jayasri describes how the silent tears of Dhruv's mother, who cannot speak, amplify her own sorrow. "Every time his mother looks at his photograph and cries, it hurts me even more," she adds, highlighting the intergenerational trauma inflicted by the disaster. Ananda Jothi, who lost his wife and two children in the stampede, struggles to articulate his anguish. "I am left all alone now," he whispers, his quiet demeanor masking a profound emptiness.
Political Blame Game Intensifies Amidst Tragedy
Despite their immense suffering, many bereaved families, including Ananda Jothi, refrain from holding actor-politician Vijay or his party accountable for the stampede at Velusamipuram. "The house feels empty. But I do not hold Vijay responsible or blame the state government. It was an unfortunate incident," he states, reflecting a sentiment of resignation rather than accusation.
However, the tragedy has ignited a fierce political blame game. The TVK, BJP, and AIADMK have alleged a conspiracy by the DMK, specifically targeting Karur strongman Senthilbalaji. In response, the DMK has attributed the stampede to Vijay's delayed arrival. Accusations fly back and forth in campaign rhetoric, with former BJP state president K Annamalai recently attacking Senthilbalaji over the incident.
Voting Decisions Unswayed by Stampede
As political dynamics shift, the families of the victims and the broader public indicate that the stampede will not influence their voting choices. P Devendran, who lost his wife, admits, "I have not decided whom to vote for yet." K Sakthivel, mourning the loss of his wife and daughter, echoes this uncertainty but adds, "I may still vote for Vijay, for the sake of my family who wanted him to win."
TVK candidate V P Mathiazhagan, who has been visiting victims' families as part of his campaign, asserts, "There is no anger against Vijay. People understand we had nothing to do with the incident." This suggests a complex interplay of grief and political loyalty in the region.
Changing Political Landscape in Karur
The shadow of the tragedy looms large, but it is the evolving political scenario that now takes center stage. For the first time since 2006, former minister Senthilbalaji is not contesting anywhere in Karur district. His absence has bolstered the confidence of his key challenger, former AIADMK minister M R Vijayabaskar, who views the 2021 elections as a missed opportunity.
Meanwhile, the DMK is striving to retain its base. Its candidate, M Thiagarajan, a newcomer handpicked by Senthilbalaji, promises to continue the incumbent's work. DMK functionaries reveal that Senthilbalaji, despite shifting his base, has deployed more resources than before to ensure victory. "In 2021, when he moved to Karur, he got the DMK candidate a win at his home constituency Aravakurichi. This time too, though he is not here, he will ensure Thiagarajan's victory," they claim. Senthilbalaji's brother Ashok, known locally as 'Chinnavar', is actively campaigning for Thiagarajan.
In the rival camp, Vijayabaskar remains determined to avoid another defeat, but AIADMK members express apprehension about the TVK factor. They fear that if TVK siphons off anti-DMK votes, Vijayabaskar's task will become significantly tougher, adding another layer of complexity to the electoral battle.
As Karur navigates this period of mourning and political maneuvering, the resilience of its people and the shifting allegiances in the poll scene paint a vivid picture of a community caught between remembrance and the relentless march of politics.
