Chennai, September 30- Three days after the stampede in an election gathering at Karur in Tamil Nadu, the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TNK) chief, cine actor Vijay, sent out a video message on Tuesday in which he squarely blamed the DMK government for the 41 deaths.

“We did nothing wrong except go to the allotted place and hold the meeting. Yet cases have been filed against our party officials and comrades. In addition, friends and comrades on social media have had cases lodged against them. CM sir, if you want to take revenge, do whatever you want to do to me, but do not take action against them,” he said a 4.45-minute video message punctuated by dramatic pauses.

Vijay has drawn flak for leaving Karur soon after the stampede, and hurrying back to Chennai. He had not responded to media queries at the Tiruchirapally airport.

Challenging the state government, Vijay said the “truth will come out soon”, and added that his party had taken public safety into account when choosing rally sites. TVK had earlier blamed DMK MLA V Senthil Balaji for pressuring the police to not provide adequate security to the event.

“This day is the most painful day of my life, a day of great pain. I have never in my life experienced such agony. Beyond politics and everything else, we have always chosen venues and held meetings with the safety of the people in mind. What happened was something I did not expect. I am human too — in such a tragic situation, how could I simply leave that town and walk away? But I returned because I did not want a tense situation to develop there,” he explained his quick return to Chennai.

“At this time I express my deepest condolences to all those who have lost loved ones; I know nothing I say can make up for the loss. I pray that all those receiving treatment in hospital recover quickly. I will meet you all very soon. I thank everyone — party members and others, who have understood our pain and spoken on our behalf,” he said.

Spare my men’

“We campaigned across nearly five districts, but why did this happen only in Karur? How did this happen? The people know the whole truth , the people are watching everything. When the people of Karur spoke out, it felt as if God himself told me the whole truth. Very soon all truths will be revealed.”

He then asked the chief minister to spare the party workers if was seeking “revenge”.

“We did nothing wrong except go to the allotted place and hold the meeting. Yet cases have been filed against our party officials and comrades. In addition, friends and comrades on social media have had cases lodged against them. CM sir, if you want to take revenge, do whatever you want to do to me, but do not take action against them. Do whatever you want to me, I will be at home or at the office, take me if you want.”

END