- 7 months ago
The political landscape in Tamil Nadu is shifting ahead of the 2026 elections, with actor-politician Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), at the center of new developments. A political row has emerged over the delayed censor certification for Vijay's film 'Jananayakan', with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi supporting Vijay and calling the move an 'attack on Tamil culture'. This occurs as Vijay returned from Delhi after a seven-hour CBI questioning regarding the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives. Meanwhile, alliance talks are evolving, as AIADMK's Edappadi K. Palaniswami hints at new parties joining the NDA. Concurrently, the Congress party's demand for power-sharing within the DMK-led alliance has been rejected by senior DMK leaders, who affirmed Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's stance against a coalition government.
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00:00Welcome, Namaskara, good afternoon and a big welcome to here on India Today's SoSouth.
00:17I'm Nagarjun Dwarkanath, getting you all the stories over the next 30 minutes that dominate the southern part of India.
00:24And joining me today are Sagai Raj from Bengaluru, Pramod Madhava, Anaga from Tamil Nadu, Apoorwa Jai Chandram.
00:30Who's moved from Vijayawada to Chennai to cover the ongoing elections as well.
00:34And Chibi Moll from Trivendram in Kerala, getting you all the stories that dominate and making the headline from the southern part of India.
00:41Let's listen into what we have for you over the next 30 to 40 minutes.
00:47Hello and welcome, this is Anaga Keshav.
00:49The film Parasakti has landed into another political controversy with the Congress Youth Wing in Tamil Nadu calling for a ban on the film.
00:57Saying that it depicts certain Congress leaders in a distorted and a negative light.
01:03Meanwhile, Janda Naygan has knocked the doors of the Supreme Court with the CBFC immediately filing a caveat petition.
01:10Requesting the court not to pass any orders without hearing its side also.
01:15All this and more in the upcoming bulletin.
01:17Congress is taking out a protest outside Lokbavan against the VBG Ramji bill saying that the Mandraga bill should be re-established in the country.
01:28Kerala Chief Minister in other news has expressed solidarity with the victim in the Rahul Mangutathil case
01:32by using a cup with the lines from an emotional note that was penned down by this victim after Rahul Mangutathil was...
01:39Breaking news coming in from Tamil Nadu.
01:53Is this the big realignment of alliances?
01:56That's the big question that Tamil Nadu is looking at right now.
02:00Is TVK ready for an alliance with EPS's AI DMK?
02:04EPS says TVK can join or to join the NDA alliance.
02:10TVK asserts that Vijay will be the Chief Minister's face.
02:13If any party wants to be a part of TVK as an alliance with Vijay as the Chief Minister,
02:19they would be more than happy to have them in the alliance.
02:23TVK on the EPS offer that.
02:25He says that anyone can join us is what TVK says.
02:29And also have gone on to say that they would share power.
02:31They can't be two Chief Ministers in one alliance.
02:34So, now we'll have to wait and watch.
02:36Will TVK move towards NDA alliance with accepting AI DMK's EPS as a CM face?
02:42Or will EPS extend a support to TVK alliance and say let's go with Vijay as a CM face?
02:47Because both of these leaders have been assertive about them being the Chief Minister's face.
02:52But however, this seems to be a big realignment within the Tamil Nadu politics
02:57that EPS seems to be saying that there's one more party that's joining the NDA alliance.
03:02The big speculation is, is it TVK that will be a part of the EPS alliance and the NDA alliance as well?
03:09I spoke to the TVK spokesperson, Mr. Felix Gerrard, listening to what he had to say.
03:14So, thank you for speaking to India today.
03:23And we've got some source-based information that EPS, if at all TVK comes to be a part of the alliance, would welcome it.
03:30And I hope you remember that during a rally that he also looked at the TVK flags and said,
03:36this is a sign or this is a hint for the coming few days, is what EPS had said.
03:41Where does TVK stand?
03:42Are you going towards EPS and NDA alliance or you want to be the third front of Tamil Nadu?
03:50I don't know.
03:51We are not the third front of Tamil Nadu.
03:53I'll tell you why.
03:54And let me explain this regarding EPS statements.
04:02See, both the parties, ADNK as well as TVK, we had passed a resolution that for us, our leader is going to be the chief minister candidate.
04:11And we are, on our first political public meeting, our leader proclaimed that TVK has the potential to form the government on our own.
04:24If, the F is very important, if anybody comes to our alliance and we will give them up, we will share the governance with them.
04:33We will share the power with them.
04:34This is our statement.
04:36So, we are not desperate to form an alliance, number one.
04:40Number two, we are not at the receiving end.
04:43We are at the giving end.
04:44So, we are the, today, the entire Tamil Nadu politics revolves around TVK.
04:51We are doing politics, they are doing reactive politics.
04:54Whatever we do, it's a reaction from all the other parties.
04:58So, our leader and our party is the center of gravity of Tamil Nadu politics today.
05:06And the charismatic leadership, the one and only charismatic leader is on the ground, is our leader, Talapati Vijay.
05:13Okay.
05:19Actually, returning from Delhi after the CBI inquiry.
05:22But the interesting fact here is that we've got information exclusively that EPS has once again hinted about a new party joining AIA-DMK alliance.
05:31And the only new party in the state of Tamil Nadu that is making a lot of waste right now is actually Vijay's TVK.
05:37I'm joined by Naga once again.
05:38Naga, just, Naga, I just want to know one thing.
05:41Is this new party going to be TVK or once again, EPS trying to hint about anything else?
05:45Because he's from the beginning.
05:47No matter, even if Vijay tries to steal MGR's legacy or whatever it is, EPS has been very firm about taking Vijay into his alliance.
05:55Is this one more strike on that?
05:57Well, it's a complicated structure that we are talking, Pramod, it's multi-layered as well.
06:06Both have aspirations about being the chief minister.
06:10Will Tamil Nadu see a 2.5, 2.5 year rotational CM?
06:14That looks difficult.
06:15But both of them have been vehemently speaking out about them being the chief minister's face.
06:19So, will EPS make way for Vijay to then come to a part of an alliance or will Vijay make way for EPS and then to be a part of an alliance?
06:27That's the big question.
06:28But they also have a common enemy as DMK.
06:31EPS has hinted that there has been a common understanding in terms of ideology that they want to fight the DMK, both TVK and EIDMK.
06:39He also spoke about how there's flags in EIDMK, TVK flags in EIDMK rallies and that's a big hint in the coming few days.
06:46Now, we'll have to wait and see if EPS will pick his call and speak to Vijay as to what's happening and if then alliance, the grand alliance will be stitched and also promote is the X Factor.
06:55How about the BJP? Vijay also has spoken against BJP.
06:59How can BJP be a part of the same alliance when Vijay in the last two months has spoken out against the BJP party as well?
07:05So, these are the complexities that one will have to watch out for.
07:08But in the next one week or five days, seems to be some grand alliance in the making.
07:12We'll have to wait and watch which is the party that would join the NDA alliance.
07:16Well, thank you now, Garchuda.
07:20The important part is that just like you mentioned, it is a bit complicated because on one side, TVK and EIDMK has a common enemy of DMK.
07:28But at the same time, TVK also has another common enemy and that seems to be BJP.
07:34And this is where like whether TVK is going to ally with Congress, whose common enemy also is BJP or not, that seems to be wait.
07:40But the bigger question here is that TVK has already given an open invitation to anybody who accepts Vijay as the chief minister.
07:47I'm joined by Anagar Keshav right now.
07:49Anagar, right now, it looks like there could be some kind of negotiations could be done within AIDMK.
07:54But one thing is very clear and firm, still AIDMK is keeping the doors open for TVK.
07:59Is there any kind of reciprocal reciprocation from TVK on this matter?
08:05Well, it's very clear.
08:07Nagarjuna, once again, does it look like TVK want to actually entertain Arapani K. Pari Swamis, this idea?
08:18Amur, did you say they want to entertain or they wouldn't want to entertain?
08:24What do you think?
08:25Do you think TVK wants to entertain this particular idea from AIDMK to join the alliance?
08:31I think absolutely.
08:34This seems to be sending shivers down the opposition spine, maybe the DMK and the Congress party also.
08:40Remember, TVK is the X factor in this 2026 elections.
08:44Congress is sending feelers.
08:45AIDMK is sending feelers.
08:47Everyone wants to be a part of this TVK grand alliance as well because they know in their own service that TVK is doing quite well in their own service.
08:56But the big question is without the carder on the ground, can they bring people to vote for them and press the button on the EVM machines?
09:04That's the big question.
09:05TVK definitely have the optics, right?
09:07But do they have the booth agents, the booth level workers to bring people out of their homes to press the EVM button?
09:14Definitely, they would be encouraging this idea of EPS and Vijay coming together.
09:19And that would make sure that DMK has a formidable opponent and there's no vote division between the opposition.
09:25And that's the reason why EPS also know the value of this great alliance.
09:28Jolie, is Nagarjun, one thing is very certain because like in the state of Tamil Nadu, it looks like everybody's agreeing at least a minimum of 10 to 12% vote percentage for Vijay.
09:42And that too from either the first-time voters or the youth in particular because he was able to actually show that during his all programs.
09:50I mean, as we speak right now, it looked like earlier EPS want to piggyback on this particular fame.
09:54And that's the reason, just like you mentioned earlier, during one particular event, just a couple of people waving TVK flag.
10:01He took it as an end.
10:02He took it as a signal for a grand alliance.
10:05I'm also joined by Anagar Keshav over here.
10:07Anagar, on one side, EPS earlier feelers were entirely different.
10:10But it looks like even while talking to candidates, they are being actually, during this particular meeting for candidates for the election, EPS apparently has given such kind of a feeler right now.
10:21Is AIDMK okay with this particular idea?
10:24Well, of course, in fact, the ADMK party has always maintained, including the BJP, in fact, they've maintained that doors are always open for Vijay to come.
10:36What the NDA as a whole believes is that when all of our intention is to dethrone DMK, then, you know, then all of us must unite to jointly defeat DMK.
10:45That's the only way that we can defeat a Dravidian party as tall as DMK.
10:49You know, is, you know, is the opinion that all the DMK, I'm sorry, is the opinion that all the NDA carders also have and that includes ADMK and BJP as well.
10:59And that's why even if we take a look at what's happening, be it the Karoo stampede tragedy or be it what's happening right now with the CBFC, you know, knives are not that sharp pointed out at Vijay.
11:10That's why, including the ADMK, they've always been very, very soft when it comes to Vijay.
11:14Even when the stampede happened, Ederpadi Parani Swami spoke in support of Vijay.
11:18That's the kind of solidarity that we saw.
11:21It's very, very clear.
11:21In fact, they've also said it openly on a couple of instances that the door will be open for actor-turn Neta to join hands.
11:28But, you know, Pramod, that is still very, very far-fetched.
11:31But in case if that happens, there would be a very big question as to who will be the chief ministerial face because Vijay wants to become the CM.
11:38Ederpadi Parani Swami wants to become the CM.
11:40So, how are they really going to sort this out?
11:43That would be the biggest clash if at all Vijay decides to join hands with NDA.
11:47That is also another unlikely thing because BJP is a part of NDA and Vijay has called BJP as its ideological enemy.
11:55So, that seems a bit far-fetched at the moment.
11:57But looking at the political developments, this is what we have at the moment.
12:06I encourage you to stay back because the important aspect is that, like I mentioned earlier, when it comes to Vijay,
12:11he has two common enemies and both are on different angles.
12:14One being a Dravidian party, DMK, and the other one a national party, BJP,
12:18because aligning with them, with him in particular, is going to be extremely difficult.
12:22On one side, AIDMK is open for alliance.
12:25On the other side, Congress is also open for alliance, which very clearly showed that, by the way, they supported not just EPS,
12:31even Rahul Gandhi called up Vijay and he spoke over the phone.
12:34And the same way, Congress has completely backed Vijay in this Jananayan fiasco.
12:38The important question is that, like, now, is Vijay going to be the Deputy Chief Minister if this alliance is going to bloom
12:45or is he going to be the Chief Minister?
12:47Because he very clearly, TVK, mentions that anybody who is accepting Vijay as the Chief Minister is welcome.
12:54Is that the case?
12:55Yeah, yeah, for me.
13:13Well, of course, Pramod, you know, if you do take a look at what's happening,
13:16the Congress and TVK have always been long-term allies.
13:20In fact, the Congress's Chief, Rahul Gandhi, has a very close personal relationship that's going on with Vijay.
13:26And even if you take a look at the recent statements that's made by the members of Congress,
13:31be it Jyoti Mani or be it Manikam Tagore, you know, they've always been very cosy with what Vijay has to say.
13:37Even with, you know, with what happened with the entire Jananayan controversy landing up in a legal battle,
13:43we had the Congress MPs openly rallying behind and backing actor Neta Vijay.
13:48So, it's very, very clear that the Congress does have a soft corner for Vijay
13:52and they are using this support that they have with Vijay in order to bargain for more seeds with DMK.
13:58The Congress is of the belief that we have been long-term allies of DMK for a very, very long time
14:03and it's high time that we also get a share in power sharing.
14:07Be it in the Parliament or anywhere else, we've always been in support of Congress.
14:12We've always unquestionably blindly supported the stance of Congress Party in Parliament.
14:18So, when it comes to state this time, it's time that we get our due share.
14:22It's high time that we get a share in power, you know, in power sharing, in power arrangement
14:27is what the Congress has to say.
14:29And therefore, we see a lot of cosying up that's happening with actor Neta Vijay.
14:34Open statements backing Vijay.
14:36In fact, even today, we had a Congress youth wing, you know, Vice President say that he wants to ban Parasakti.
14:43So, that's the kind of soft push that we are seeing against the DMK and mild cosying up to Vijay.
14:49All this promote as an optics in order to bargain for more seats with DMK for elections.
14:54Understand Anagar, but the one thing is very clear.
15:01We cannot henceforth use the word far-fetched because we do not have much time.
15:04Probably between like February 10 or 15, the dates are going to be announced
15:07and we don't even have almost a month for the alliances to fall in place,
15:11be it DMK alliance, ED alliance or NDA alliance.
15:14And now we also have TVK.
15:16Who is TVK going to join?
15:17Who is going to form the alliance?
15:19It's going to play a very important role.
15:20At the same time, we also have a breaking right now on this particular matter.
15:25This is about what Congress thinks on this meeting.
15:27This is a breaking, a very important one from the state of Tamil Nadu.
15:32And Manikam Tagore, the Congress MP, who has completely raised his voice for the need of power sharing,
15:38not seat sharing, but power sharing and claiming it is high time.
15:42It happens in the state of Tamil Nadu, has also spoken to India today.
15:44The important aspect is that we try to explain to him that since 1967,
15:49this concept has not prevailed in the state of Tamil Nadu.
15:52Manikam Tagore, Girish Chodhankar, everyone else from the Congress Party very clearly mentioned
15:55that this is a reflection of the Congress cadres from the state of Tamil Nadu
16:00because they want to have a kind of share in the power to make sure that their manifesto
16:04and whatever their promise is implemented in the state.
16:07However, DMK has vehemently said no to this,
16:10but here's what Manikam Tagore had to say about his demand.
16:14We all know that Tamil Nadu is a state where the political alliances matters.
16:23Whomever is having good alliance, they are going to win the government.
16:26It has happened in 1967 when Congress was defeated by extreme two different visions
16:33like the Rajaji Swant, Sudantara Party, Communist Parties,
16:37and then DMK is Anagurai Ji.
16:40All kind of forces came together and defeated Kamaraj.
16:44Therefore, from that day, there is only alliances wins.
16:48And alliances matters in Tamil Nadu.
16:50In 2006, till 2006, people has never voted a single party as a minority party.
16:56But in 2006, they voted the majority party.
17:00There was a signal from the people that Tamil Nadu needs a Kerala model of governance
17:05where a major party is there, but other parties also need to be given due power in the ground.
17:12A very important development we have from the state of Tamil Nadu
17:16and it is related to the Pungal and the Chief Minister's message.
17:19In fact, the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has spoken about how this should be a Samatham Pungal
17:23and how DMK's Dravidian model has become a very important impact in the state of Tamil Nadu
17:28in its prosperity, in its development and such.
17:30But at the same time, he has once again attacked the union government,
17:34claiming that the union government is in a way trying to actually handle Tamil Nadu
17:38as like a permanent Kerala, but at the same time, he wants to drive the message,
17:42claiming that like DMK's rule has made a huge impact in the state of Tamil Nadu.
17:47And here's what the Nethas had to say about this.
17:52We actually, what we have been saying is very, very clear.
17:56Tamil Nadu is the largest state which has received money,
18:02which has received funds for infrastructure development and other welfare activities
18:07in the entire country.
18:09And it is not from BJP's mouth.
18:11It is from the mouth of the government itself, the state government itself.
18:15They have, they have come to their research saying that they stand first in so many schemes,
18:21which we can, we have already, you know, shared in all the medias.
18:25So, Mr. Stalin, unable to run the government, his poor administration,
18:33failure in controlling the long-term situation, failure to control criminal activities,
18:38and the failure to control the drug menace,
18:43and encouraging the liquor by the government itself,
18:46has deteriorated, destroyed Tamil Nadu's fabric.
18:49This is what the DMK has done in the last four and a half years.
18:53So, hearing defeat, Mr. Stalin will say all these things.
18:58Anaga Keshav is live with us once again.
19:00Anaga, on one side, the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin claims that Dravidian model has worked hard
19:04to bring the Tamil Nadu state, which has been in the AIDMQ rule for the past 10 years,
19:08about development, about bringing investments and such.
19:11But he also used the word permanent corona, unfortunately,
19:13claiming that that's the way a union government is treating them.
19:16While BJP is giving a different kind of intonation,
19:18we also see that the DMK government has also given a lot of more gifts and such.
19:23What exactly has the DMK government announced for this Pongal,
19:27and why does BJP want to retaliate to this?
19:33Well, in fact, what the DMK has announced for Pongal this year is actually a very big hamper.
19:38They've announced Rs. 3,000 in cash.
19:40Apart from that, they're also giving 1 kg rice,
19:43they're giving 1 kg sugar, dhoti and shirt.
19:46So, that's the kind of bumper bonanza that we are seeing from the DMK government.
19:51And this will go on to 2 crore 22 lakh people in Tamil Nadu.
19:55You know, there are about that many ration card holders.
19:57And that's the big bonanza gift that's coming in from the DMK government.
20:01And not just that, it didn't just end there.
20:03The Chief Minister, while giving out a Pongal greeting, a Pongal message,
20:07has called the BJP-led union government as a permanent corona.
20:10Stalin says that when he took over the government,
20:14Tamil Nadu and the entire country was reeling under the second corona wave.
20:18And ever since that happened, the BJP government has continued to be a permanent corona
20:23in the lives of the federal structure and the federal system of governance.
20:27That's the kind of piercing allegation and statement that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has given in.
20:33It surely is a very piercing statement,
20:35given the fact that he's calling the BJP-led union government as a permanent form of corona.
20:39In fact, even the BJP has also targeted the union,
20:43you know, targeted the DMK-led government in the state
20:46as saying that all this is being done, keeping in mind the elections.
20:50And that's why all this kind of Pongal bonanza, hamper doling out is happening.
20:54If it was not elections, we wouldn't be seeing so many,
20:57you know, impressive schemes being coming in from the DMK.
21:00So it's only done keeping in mind the elections, is what the BJP is saying.
21:04He's going to go soft in the state of Tamil Nadu right now.
21:06And as we speak, Vijay, the Tamiragam Vichy Karagam leader
21:09and the lead actor of Jandana Agam has landed in Tamil Nadu once again in Chennai
21:15after his one day of CBI grilling in Delhi.
21:19And this is very important because Vijay, the leader or lead actor from Jandana Agam,
21:22which is being completely discussed upon right now,
21:25has once again landed back.
21:27He was in Delhi to go to CBI office and he was questioned over there
21:30over the unfortunate Karud tragedy where 41 lives were lost on September 27th.
21:36Vijay was called in and right now we have Apoorva also from the airport.
21:40Apoorva, what is the scenario over there?
21:42Vijay has landed. Are the fans there to welcome him?
21:47Well, in fact, Pramod, there aren't any fans.
21:49Luckily, the crowds are not as bad.
21:51Only, you know, we have Vijay who has just landed here in Chennai airport.
21:55This is after, you know, he had attended for the CBI inquiry that took place in Delhi yesterday.
22:00There were tough questions that were posed for the TVK chief Vijay there in Delhi by the CBI.
22:06This in connection with the Karud stampede.
22:08Most importantly, the questions that were asked were on the lines of
22:12what was the participation of Vijay in terms of the speech that he had given?
22:16Why was there a seven-hour delay?
22:18And more importantly, why wasn't there any adequate measures
22:22that had been given by the TVK organizers there in Karud,
22:26you know, for water and food and other necessities for the public,
22:30for the fans, for the supporters of TVK
22:32who had come here for watching Vijay in September
22:35when this speech had taken out.
22:37In fact, we saw 41 innocent people
22:39who had lost their lives in that unfortunate stampede.
22:42And the visuals from the stampede as well show us
22:44the kind of mass frenzy that had taken.
22:47And post that yesterday, the CBI had summoned the TVK chief there, Vijay,
22:52to Delhi wherein he had been called in for questioning.
22:55In fact, if I can just ask my cameraman to turn around,
22:58we can also see that all cameras, in fact, the police are also ready
23:02and all set for Talapati Vijay, the TVK chief, to arrive here.
23:07His vehicles have all been gone inside and they are waiting
23:11as TVK's chief Vijay will be, you know, abiding his vehicle
23:15and will be going out.
23:17It might, you know, we are, sources do tell us that Vijay is likely
23:20to meet the press here or he might likely address the media,
23:23but it looks unlikely given that the situation,
23:26the CBI is, you know, likely to call him for a second round of questioning
23:31that what we are getting to learn from sources in Delhi
23:33is that, you know, the CBI inquiry will continue on on a later date
23:38as the Pungal celebrations is all set to take place in Tamil Nadu
23:41for the next three consecutive days.
23:44And Vijay also, you know, is likely to be a part of the Pungal festivities
23:48and that is why there has been a short break that the CBI has granted
23:51for the TVK chief Vijay there.
23:53We are all set to see Vijay who will be coming out in his convoy here
23:57and he is likely to reach back to his residence here in Nilangaray.
24:02Remember, Vijay had been drilled for over seven hours.
24:06He had landed in Delhi early yesterday morning,
24:09departing from Chennai and the investigations that had started on 11 a.m.
24:14well, you know, went on well until 6 p.m.
24:17late in the evening yesterday.
24:19And Vijay was also accompanied by the TVK,
24:22other senior members including Adav Arjuna,
24:25Abusi Anand and several others,
24:26all of them who had already been called in for questioning
24:29by the CBI earlier on.
24:31And post that yesterday, Vijay had been called in for questioning.
24:35We are waiting to see if Vijay will come out
24:37and will speak and address the press here after the CBI emerges.
24:42Vijay, Pramod.
24:43Well, it is very unlikely that Vijay could do it
24:47because like on one side the matter is still subjudiced
24:49but we have been told there is a possibility of his party leader.
24:51Nirmal Kumar could at least provide some kind of explanation to this
24:54but everything is speculation right now.
24:56And for more stories from the state of Kerala,
24:58let's go to Shibimod.
25:13Thank you, Pramod.
25:25Well, BJP State President Rajiv Chandrasekhar
25:28has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi
25:30seeking to change the name of Kerala from Kerala to Keralam.
25:35Keralam is how we pronounce the state in Malayalam.
25:38In fact, in 2024, the Kerala Legislative Assembly
25:41had unanimously passed a resolution
25:43seeking to change the name of Kerala from Kerala to Keralam
25:46in the official documents.
25:48Now, BJP State President Rajiv Chandrasekhar
25:50says that the BJP also supports this unanimous resolution
25:54that was passed by the SMB.
25:56Both the Congress and the left had agreed to, you know,
25:58change the name in official documents.
26:00In fact, Rajiv Chandrasekhar also returned to Kerala Chief Minister
26:03expressing the support to the resolution.
26:06What Rajiv Chandrasekhar says in the letter is that
26:09it's Keralam that's the original name of the state
26:11and it upholds the rich heritage and culture of the state.
26:14He also says that this will also help,
26:16this name change will also help stop those extremist forces
26:19who intends to divide the state
26:21to different districts based on religion.
26:24So, in multiple ways,
26:25it's better to change the name to Kerala.
26:27He sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention
26:30and support as the BJP also supports
26:32this unanimous resolution.
26:39The Congress is taking out a day and night protest
26:48against the VBG Ramji bill
26:51against centre outside the Lokbavan
26:54here in the state capital, Thirwanda Puram.
26:56As you can see behind me,
26:57it's the Congress workers here taking out a protest.
27:00It's the day and night protest that's taking place
27:02outside the Lokbavan,
27:04inaugurated by AICS General Secretary KC Reynogobal.
27:06They have raised strong objection against the bill
27:08and have sought the restoration of Mandrega bill,
27:12saying that it's Mahatma Gandhi's name in the bill
27:15that's scaring the centre.
27:17It says that they're trying to rewrite the history
27:18and rewrite the name of Mahatma Gandhi
27:22and it's that attempt that we're seeing in this case also.
27:25The Congress here has also raised concerns
27:27regarding the new bill
27:28which asks the state governments to contribute more.
27:31What the Congress is saying is that
27:33the state governments are going through a financial crisis
27:35with the policies of the centre,
27:37especially against the opposition ruled states.
27:40So in that background,
27:41this is again a setback for the states.
27:43So this bill should be withdrawn
27:46and the Mandrega should be restored.
27:48Listen to the reactions.
27:49Just now arrived here back in Chennai airport.
28:06As you can see there,
28:07Dat Talpati Vijay who has just left from the Chennai airport.
28:10In fact, he has gone to Delhi
28:13for the CBI questioning that had taken place
28:16and following the questioning there,
28:17Vijay has just now reached back to Chennai
28:21and from Chennai airport he has just now left
28:24and it looks like senior TVK leaders
28:26will be arriving here to address the media.
28:29Almost for over seven hours,
28:31Talpati Vijay, the TVK chief,
28:33had been grilled at the CBI inquiry
28:35that took place yesterday.
28:37With video journalist Prem at Chennai,
28:39Apoor Wajai Chandran, India Today.
28:44Okay, okay, cut.
28:47Just moments ago,
28:49Vijay has landed in Chennai right now.
28:52He's come back after the questioning
28:54that he went on to do it in CBI headquarter.
28:59Now Vijay has landed in Chennai post the questioning.
29:02This was day two of his trip in Delhi.
29:03He left Delhi this afternoon
29:05and now has reached Chennai.
29:07Just moments ago,
29:08he exited out of the terminal building
29:11of the Chennai airport.
29:12We have got visuals of him exiting as well
29:14and he was accompanied by his party netas,
29:17Adav Arjun and CTR Nirmal Kumar
29:19who are all office bearers of the TVK party.
29:22Remember, Vijay was called in from CBI
29:24on the Karoor stampede.
29:26He was grilled for over six hours
29:28from morning till evening
29:30and then he went on to stay
29:31at a private hotel in Delhi
29:33then left to Chennai.
29:35But what we are picking up
29:36from our sources within the agencies
29:37are that let's listen
29:39to what CTR Nirmal Kumar are saying.
29:41What is this?
30:08Kumar, Deputy General Secretary of the TVK Party, just stepping out of the airport and the media is right there trying to get a word from him as to what exactly happened or transpired in Delhi and what would be the next move in terms of the Jananayakan movie as well.
30:23Remember, sources have confirmed to India today that this is not the end of the questioning of Vijay. There would be another day that Vijay will be summoned before the CPI on the Karoo stampede. The lines of questioning for Vijay was that where was he when this whole stampede happened? Why did he leave the premises immediately and why was there a delay of him coming to the location in Karoo when this happened?
30:45As we speak, the media is trying to get a word from CPR, Nirmal Kumar, who is the Deputy General Secretary. He accompanied him, he accompanied Vijay, in fact, to the CBI headquarter and was with Vijay all throughout in the Delhi trip over the last 48 hours.
31:00Vijay, remember, has come to Chennai right now ahead of Pongal celebrations and today is a big day for him because he has got support from Rahul Gandhi for his Jananayakan movie release.
31:11EPS has extended an arm or an invite to say that, why don't you join our alliance? So, it is a big day for Vijay also. Most likely, he will be summoned to Delhi once again by the CBI either on the 19th or post that to question him again on the Karoo tragedy that happened.
31:29We will have to wait and see what exactly would the office bearers of the TVK party would be telling the media post a landing in Chennai, Vijay has just exited moments ago from the airport before he left Delhi.
31:41You remember him wearing a white shirt and waving to the media and the camera persons. He didn't speak a word, but through the window, the glass window of the car, he did wave at the reporters and the media and the camera person who were there,
31:53who was trying to get a word from him as he left or departed the private station in Delhi.
31:58He has landed in Chennai and it's just exited moments ago from the terminal building. While Vijay has exited, the media is trying to get a hold of, get a word from CPR Nirmal Kumar or Adhavarju
32:09to understand what exactly transpired in the CBI headquarter. What was the line of questioning?
32:15What would they have to say to media what exactly transpired in the CBI headquarter?
32:19I think people were telling where they had to go to the police. When the police are talking, they were saying that they were investigating their letters from Delhi.
32:37That is why you were going to visit the police organization.
32:42Thank you very much.
33:12Thank you very much.
33:42In a few days, we will give the CBI a date based on the availability and then we will fix up another date for questioning.
33:56Our leader Vijay Gaut summons in his capacity as a witness.
34:03We have repeated this multiple times. The entire Tamil Nadu knows what happened in Karoor.
34:16There were 607 police personnel deployed in Karoor according to the words by Chief Minister.
34:28Exactly 607.
34:32Police officer Davidson said that around 500 police personnel were only deployed.
34:38And this shows the mismatch in statements by Chief Minister and the police officer.
34:42There were a lot of lapses by the Tamil Nadu government and the police department in the whole Karoor standpoint rushed.
34:59The police department have threatened the families of victims who have passed away and forcefully obtained the signatures.
35:20Dirmal Kumar says that the post-mortem procedures were extremely done in a hurried fashion by the Tamil Nadu police.
35:37Dirmal Kumar alleges that the police used its threatening force to obtain a go-ahead from the families of victims.
35:44As far as Jandana Yagan is concerned, it is the last film of Talabadi Vijay.
35:55The entire country is united to give a peaceful release for Vijay.
36:05Let the film release and let the case get sorted out in the Supreme Court.
36:11And then we will answer your further questions.
36:14This is Vijay's final farewell.
36:27Let the matter get over in Supreme Court.
36:32Our thanks to all those who extended support to Vijay.
36:45The entire India, the entire country is waiting for Jandana Yagan's release.
36:50Let it get done peacefully.
36:51Let it release peacefully.
36:52Nirmal Kumar there, sending in thanks to all those who extended support to Vijay.
36:55Shandana Yagan.
36:56There is no change in our stance.
37:20There is no change in our stance.
37:27I am very short in English.
37:37In fact, you heard Dirmal Kumar, the Attorney General Secretary of the TVK Party speak just after they've exited the airport terminal building in Chennai.
37:50And I, TVK aid, TVK, in fact, Neta has said that the post-mortem of the victims were Harid as well.
37:57And that the numbers given out by the government and the police department didn't match.
38:02And that Vijay was summoned.
38:04And definitely.
38:05So, no alliance with the BJP?
38:06No, see, on our ideological stand and everything, we have already clearly told our stand very clearly.
38:12And definitely, like, any of that said, we'll let the press know.
38:16Sir, you are round, you are round, you are round.
38:20Sir, you are round, you are round, you are round.
38:21And a lot of people, a lot of people.
38:23Sir, Ahul Gandhi have said that.
38:25We definitely thank all of the people, all the people and all the leaders who have supported for the release of the movie.
38:30And definitely, this is the last movie of our leader.
38:33Sentimentally, and all our party cadres and including all the people of Tamil Nadu and the whole of our leaders, fans, wanted this movie to be released peacefully.
38:44And definitely, we wanted this to happen very peacefully.
38:46And this is pending at the court.
38:48We'll come to the press.
38:49We'll come to the press and do an examination once the release is done.
38:56Sir, Rahul Gandhi has supported Janet.
38:58Rahul Gandhi has supported Janet.
39:00No, no, no, no.
39:01It's like a lie.
39:02No, no, no, see, see, one thing.
39:03See, any alliance, our leader will take a call.
39:05And anything, definitely we'll let the press know.
39:08And definitely, we thank everyone who has supported our team.
39:11Sir, Rahul Gandhi, are you talks with Congress then?
39:14Right now in fact speaking in English said that thanking everyone on the support of the
39:27movie release.
39:28In fact, he was referring to Rahul Gandhi's tweet on the Jananayakan movie attacking the
39:32central government saying it was because of the INB ministry that the movie release is
39:36delayed.
39:37He went on to say that on the alliance Vijayavid, the chief of TVK will take the final case
39:44call and they would in fact tell the people and the media at the appropriate time.
39:49But while speaking in Tamil regional language, he said that there were multiple lapses in
39:53terms of what was the statement given out by the chief minister and the police department
39:58and how the police tried to force statements out of the victims of the Karur tragedy.
40:04And then he also went on to say that Vijayavid was summoned as a witness to the whole stampede.
40:10And now he went on to say that he's been eagerly waiting for the Jananayakan release.
40:14Vijay has been eagerly waiting for the Jananayakan movie release and said that he thanks everyone
40:19who have extended the support to his movie release over the last three to four days.
40:24Apoorva Jai Chandran is joining me live.
40:26Apoorva, could you break down exactly what did Nirmal Kumar tell the media?
40:30While we try to get reconnected to Apoorva Jai Chandran as to what exactly did CPER Nirmal Kumar speak.
40:50Remember, he's the deputy general secretary of the TVK party.
40:54He's been a close associate of Vijayavid the last 48 hours.
40:58He accompanied Vijay to the CBI headquarters.
41:00So he seems to have some information as to what transpired in the CBI agency headquarter.
41:06He went on to say that the police definitely did forcibly take statements out of the families of the stampede that were affected.
41:15And then Vijay was summoned as a witness to the whole questioning and also went on to say that there was lapses between the statements that the chief minister gave out and the numbers that the police department had given out.
41:26He also thanked the support that people are giving him and his party over the Janana Icon movie release.
41:32Recently, Rahul Gandhi did tweet also on the movie release and directly attacked the union government.
41:39Anagar Keshav is joining me live on this.
41:41Anagar, could you break down the key takeaways that Nirmal Kumar spoke?
41:45In fact, the first thing that Nirmal Kumar says is that, you know, we've taken a break for Pongal and Vijay was summoned in his capacity as only a witness.
41:58So once this entire Pongal celebrations get over in about a week or so, we'll give CBI another date and Vijay will have to go again.
42:06So that's the first clarification that's coming in that this enquiry that we saw wasn't the last.
42:11There is going to be a round two of enquiry as well.
42:13CT Nirmal Kumar also went on to add that, you know, that this entire Karoor stampede tragedy happened because of the lapses on part of the Tamil Nadu government and the police department.
42:24He also went on to say that the Tamil Nadu police department went on to threaten the families of victims in order to obtain a quicker post-mortem signatures.
42:32That's the kind of big, big statement that we saw coming in from Nirmal Kumar directly attacking the Tamil Nadu police department,
42:39saying that they have threatened the families of victims in this whole Karoor stampede tragedy.
42:44And it's quite likely that the same statements would have been echoed in front of the investigating officers in the national capital.
42:50That they, you know, that the entire onus of whatever happened in Karoor, the utmost unfortunate tragedy that happened in Karoor,
42:57the onus squarely lies with the Tamil Nadu government and on the police department is the kind of strong stance that the TVK has taken.
43:05In fact, he also tells a very, very strong thing that the Tamil Nadu police department has threatened the families of victims.
43:12He'll have to wait and watch what exactly will the CBA also say and also the DMK will, of course, retract and confront these statements given out by the TVK Neta.
43:21Aapurva Jayichandran is also joining us.
43:23Aapurva, you did speak to CTR Nirmal Kumar just a while back and moments back.
43:28What were the takeaways from his statement that he made, especially on the Karoor tragedy?
43:33What did he say?
43:33Well, in fact, Nagarjun, what we're getting to learn is that, you know, they're very, you know, clear on their point
43:44and what has been, you know, what they have observed so far from the Karoor stampede and the takeaways that they've given.
43:49And that's what Nirmal Kumar has also gone on and stated here while addressing the media.
43:54He says, you know, Talibar Vijay has been very clear in stating whatever had gone wrong
44:00and that there have been several loopholes that were there in the investigations that had continued on in the Karoor stampede incident.
44:08And that's also something that Nirmal Kumar has gone ahead and cited here while addressing the media.
44:13He says, you know, speaking on if there might be possible alliances or anything else,
44:18he says that that's something that the leadership will take a call.
44:21But so far in that, you know, incident, over 41 lives that had innocently been lost there.
44:27He says they are very sorry that this incident had happened.
44:30But more so, you know, the kind of mishandling and the kind of mismanagement that the lapses definitely can be seen.
44:36And that's something that we will not stay silent about is what CTR has gone ahead and said, speaking to the media today.
44:48Anagar, in fact, we'll have to wait and see what the DEMK would confront these statements with facts.
44:56DGP Davidson also was summoned is what you had reported yesterday.
45:00Do we have information as to what are the questioning lines that the DGP got from CBI and what answers did the DGP pass on?
45:11Well, like how Vijay was questioned by the CBI officers, the former ADGP law and order who is currently serving as the DGP armed force,
45:21Davidson has also appeared in front of the CBI investigating officers to put forth the stance by the Tamil Nadu Police Department.
45:28Remember, when the whole Karu tragedy happened, I had asked Davidson if there was any failure of intelligence as to why is it that the Tamil Nadu Police Department couldn't anticipate that there would be a huge surge in crowd.
45:41To which he replied saying that there was zero failure of this whole Tamil Nadu Police Department and they had provided all the adequate police muscle and manpower and support that was required.
45:51But whatever happened was beyond anybody's control is what the police officer had told India today.
45:56And now, like how Dirmil Kumar has pointed out, there were mismatches between the statements that the chief minister gave and the numbers that Davidson had given.
46:06The police department had stated that there were around 550 police personnel deployed, whereas the chief minister had given a figure around 607 police personnel deployment.
46:15So, this seems to be the main point that the TVK has picked up and is pointing fingers at the government saying that when there is so much lapses between what the government has to say and what the police department has to say,
46:26how does one even trust their version is what TVK is saying.
46:29You know, all in all, both parties are trying to wash their hands off this whole matter.
46:36The Tamil Nadu government is squarely trying to point the blame at the event organizers by saying that it was because of Vijay's delay by seven hours,
46:44why there was so much restlessness, panic and anxiety among the crowd that contributed to the tragedy that happened.
46:50Whereas TVK is saying that the narrow, you know, that the venue that we were provided with was very, very narrow.
46:56It was so constricted.
46:57Despite us asking for a better venue, we were given a very narrow venue.
47:01And that seems to have been the main reason why the tragedy happened is what the TVK has to say.
47:06In fact, this story is not over yet, Anagar.
47:12There would be more statements coming in on the same story and the Karur tragedy seems to be not over yet in Tamil Nadu.
47:18We'll get you more all along the next few hours over the same tragedy and also the same news and a lot more updates coming in after the break.
47:25Keep watching India Today.
47:36We'll see you next time.
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