- 3 hours ago
A 37-year-old man named Suraj from Maharashtra died during a Tamilar Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally led by actor-turned-politician Vijay in Salem, Tamil Nadu, sparking a political row.
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00:00Let's move on to our top focus tonight on to the point.
00:04What played out in Tamil Nadu, Salem, where you had TVK chief Vijay holding a massive rally.
00:10Five months after the tragic stampede in Karoor, where 41 lives were lost,
00:16another death has cast a shadow over a rally led by Vijay.
00:20This time in Salem, a 37-year-old died.
00:23He collapsed and later died.
00:25Now it's suspected that it was due to dehydration and then a cardiac arrest.
00:29The party says he suffered a heart attack.
00:31Police claimed dehydration and alleged overcrowding beyond permitted limits.
00:35And this, mind you, is despite countless restrictions being put in place for Vijay's events, for Vijay's rallies.
00:42And despite that, according to the police, the number of 5,000 was given.
00:46It swelled up to 7,000 and 8,000.
00:48So they're even threatening that they will now file an FIR against TVK.
00:52Opposition parties have lashed out at Vijay, again saying that he's acted insensitively,
00:57that there have been lapses at the rally that he must answer for.
01:01Let's get you all of the reactions that have come in so far.
01:10Vijay's fans are still reeling from the wounds of the Karoor stampede five months ago,
01:16in which 41 people lost their lives.
01:19Now, another death at the TVK chief's Salem rally has reopened those wounds.
01:26The victim, 37-year-old Suraj, who hailed from Maharashtra, had come to the rally to see his idol, Wichin.
01:34The TVK says Suraj fainted and died due to a heart attack.
01:37We don't want this to happen in future.
01:41Since the press meet was arranged here, I think there was a small misunderstanding of the Salem.
01:46And definitely we are sad about that incident.
01:50While the police acknowledged that Suraj had pre-existing heart conditions,
01:54they claimed that the death was due to dehydration.
01:57The police alleged that TVK organisers allowed more than 7,000 to 8,000 people to enter the venue,
02:05despite the maximum limit being 5,000,
02:08and also permitted sick individuals to attend.
02:11Sources say the police will soon file an FIR against the organisers.
02:15Adding to the chaos when Suraj was admitted to the hospital,
02:23a scuffle broke out between TVK cadres and media personnel.
02:27Reports suggest that a TVK worker accidentally stepped on a journalist's foot,
02:31which escalated the situation.
02:35Politics has already begun over the death at PGA's rally.
02:39The AIA-DMK said that anyone attending a TVK rally return in a coffin.
02:43The BJP also slammed TVK, asking how many more deaths will occur before the suffering ends.
03:05Politics has also broken out on this matter with the BJP and the AIA-DMK pointing fingers
03:31at TVK's Vijay, holding him squarely responsible for the death that has been caused.
03:36However, the police, like I mentioned, have told India Today that the death was because of dehydration,
03:41which could have happened because of his underlying heart-related condition.
03:46Wood Camera person Daniel Anagar Keshiv reporting for India Today from Salem.
03:50So who's to blame for this incident that's taken place at Vijay's rally?
03:56Is it once again lapses, or is there an unnecessary political blame game that's playing out?
04:01Joining me on this edition of To The Point is Tenmuri Prasanna,
04:05spokesperson of the Tamiragavetri Kargam.
04:08We've got Kovey Satyan, spokesperson of the AIA-DMK,
04:10and Mathur Satya, political analyst, joining us on this broadcast.
04:15I'd like to begin with the TVK spokesperson, Tenmuri Prasanna.
04:19Tenmuri, the Tamil Nadu police seem to suggest that they were lapses,
04:22that permission was given for 5,000 people.
04:24Instead, 7,000 to 8,000 people had gathered at this rally venue.
04:28Actually, first, deepest convulsions to the person who lost lives and the family.
04:40And they were saying we have allowed more than that,
04:43but we have given only 4,998 passes,
04:48and only the person who are with passes only allowed.
04:51So it is not like that what they have stated.
04:54We haven't allowed more persons.
04:56And the person who passed away,
05:00he was already having a heart attack already once.
05:03His friend who attended,
05:06who gave already his statement to the press,
05:10by stating that he was already sick,
05:12and he suggested him that he should not go,
05:15as the heat might not be perfect for him.
05:18So he didn't listen.
05:20He just wanted to come to that.
05:23As from TVK,
05:25all the leaders,
05:26including Chief General Secretary,
05:27and all the second-run leaders,
05:29we are always insisting that pregnant ladies,
05:32children,
05:34like old people,
05:35who are sick,
05:36please don't come to the rally place.
05:39Please see through the TV and all those things.
05:42In Muli,
05:43the police say that's exactly what happened.
05:45You know,
05:45the TV case constantly said
05:47that, you know,
05:48we're being restricted,
05:49we're not being allowed to hold rallies,
05:50the police are imposing all sorts of conditions,
05:52and that's why we're not being able to hold these rallies.
05:56And yet,
05:56look what's happened.
05:57Another event where another tragedy has happened.
06:00See,
06:03you,
06:04like,
06:04we are saying,
06:06we are sorry for this,
06:07but the same media,
06:08which is talking about this,
06:10didn't talk about the two persons died,
06:12who were,
06:13like,
06:14who were died,
06:15while erecting the poll post,
06:17and all those things,
06:19when,
06:19to the venue where,
06:21Mr.
06:21Udayanadi Stalin,
06:22Deputy Chief Minister,
06:23were attending a function.
06:24It happened in that,
06:25but the media didn't capture that.
06:27No,
06:27I'm sorry,
06:28this is an age-old excuse of blaming the media.
06:30Age-old.
06:31No,
06:31no.
06:31You can't resort,
06:33someone's died in your rally,
06:34and yet you point fingers at the media.
06:36I'll bring in Kovey Satyan,
06:37spokesperson of the AIDNK on this.
06:39Mr. Kovey Satyan,
06:40what do you make of what's happened?
06:42I'm not pointing fingers at media.
06:44The thing is,
06:45I'll talk about it.
06:46Yeah,
06:47I'll come back to you.
06:48Let Mr. Kovey Satyan make his point now,
06:50please.
06:52Yes,
06:53Mr. Kovey Satyan,
06:53go ahead.
06:55TVK has not learnt a lesson.
06:57Playing with the lives of a common man
06:59has become a norm nowadays,
07:00I guess.
07:0141 precious lives lost,
07:03SOPs are given,
07:04and TVK leader Vijay stands up to the podiums
07:07and says that SOP means Stalin's operating procedure,
07:10but at the same time,
07:11they have not taken the due diligence and care
07:13to safeguard the interests of the people
07:14who had come for the rally.
07:16And here on a national media,
07:18all they are trying to peddle lies.
07:20The video of people who had come for the rally
07:23without a pass and they had been allowed
07:24and come out in the morning itself.
07:27There was no restrictions.
07:29People who had passes were let in first.
07:30When there were more number of people
07:31who wanted to come in,
07:32they were let in.
07:33So let's understand,
07:35let's take the responsibility,
07:36let's have the courage
07:36to take the responsibility.
07:38The question here is also about whether this is
07:45a political blame game that's played out.
07:47We don't know the circumstances yet.
07:49There's been no detailed investigation yet.
07:51Are we jumping the gun and going ahead
07:52and blaming Vijay,
07:53blaming the TVK?
07:54The event unfolded in such a way
07:59that the police say it is dehydration.
08:02The person had asked for water
08:03and if at all,
08:05if there were to be any medical camps set in,
08:07what have they done during the golden hours?
08:10And there are many questions that will arise,
08:12but the responsibility lies with the organizers as well.
08:15We cannot negate the responsibility
08:17going by these standards.
08:18Since Vikramandi,
08:20the first rally of Vijay,
08:21probably four or five rallies had happened.
08:24There are 58 lives which are lost.
08:2641 plus one on attending the rally
08:28and while after the rally,
08:30because of accidents.
08:31We are not blaming people
08:33who pass ahead by accidents,
08:34TVK is responsible.
08:36But while on the venue,
08:37if a precious life is lost,
08:39you are responsible.
08:41It looks like,
08:41like they're saying in English,
08:42like he stuck his own grave.
08:45So people who come to participate
08:47in Vijay Rally
08:48are begging their own grave.
08:51They have to come with their own coffins.
08:53That's the remark watch we make.
08:54Because that is for an awareness.
08:55For people to get the awareness.
08:58There is now this scenario
08:59where it seems that
09:00anyone who attends a Vijay Rally
09:01is unsafe.
09:03You cannot talk like this, sir.
09:05We have given all the necessaries,
09:06first aid that has to be done.
09:08There were more than 30 ambulances.
09:10I myself went to the venue yesterday
09:11and I have seen all the ambulances
09:12were ready.
09:14We have given all the necessary aids
09:16to the person who was affected
09:18and we have sent to the hospital.
09:20So you cannot say like that.
09:21We have done whatever we can.
09:22We have advised person who are sick.
09:25No, but the allegation is,
09:26the allegation from the police.
09:28Ted Murray,
09:28the allegation is also
09:29that this man,
09:31this 37 year old one,
09:33unfortunately passed away,
09:34it was due to dehydration.
09:35Where were water bottles,
09:38water supply for these people?
09:40Sir, the enough water bottles
09:41was given.
09:42There were bags given
09:43with biscuits and water bottles.
09:45So then how did this happen?
09:46There were water bottles
09:47who were there.
09:48The ambulance took him
09:49in the correct time.
09:50You can see.
09:51I agree.
09:52The ambulance reached there on time.
09:53We can see that in the footage.
09:55But,
09:55but the ambulance reached there on time.
09:57I agree.
09:58I can see that in the footage as well.
09:59But,
10:00the police say dehydration
10:01and the heat in Tamil Nadu
10:02that we all know about,
10:04particularly in a place like Salem,
10:05were there adequate arrangements
10:07made to ensure people
10:08didn't suffer from a heat stroke?
10:10I'll bring in Mathur Satya,
10:11political analyst
10:12who's with the CPI.
10:13Mathur Satya,
10:13go ahead.
10:14What do you make of what happened?
10:16I actually appreciate it.
10:17I'll come back to you.
10:18Let him finish.
10:18I'm making my point.
10:20You will have your time.
10:21Yeah.
10:21First of all,
10:22I appreciate our sister Tenmoli
10:24because she apologized
10:25and she expressed,
10:27you know,
10:28I mean,
10:29grief for the person passing away,
10:32which is one step more
10:33than what Vijay has done so far.
10:35So,
10:35she's a better CM candidate
10:37than Vijay
10:37because what we want here is,
10:41even if they don't take responsibility
10:43or even if they don't agree
10:45that they are the reason for this,
10:47Vijay should have come out
10:48and expressed condolence
10:50for the person passing away
10:51because this is not the first instance.
10:53Yeah.
10:53And before Karur too,
10:55even before Karur,
10:57in Madurai,
10:58a couple of people died
10:58because of dehydration.
11:00So, you know,
11:01constantly in every one of your meetings,
11:03be it Trichy,
11:03be it Namakal,
11:04be it any other place
11:06he goes to rally,
11:06at least 3,200 people faint
11:09every time
11:09because of dehydration.
11:11In spite of that,
11:12if you don't provide enough water,
11:14who is to be blamed?
11:15Every time there is an SOP,
11:16every time there is a guideline,
11:18TVK goes to court
11:19and asks the court
11:20to reduce the number of restrictions
11:22that have been put on.
11:23Every party accepts the restrictions
11:24because they know the reality of rallies,
11:26they know the reality of large crowds
11:28and they stick to it.
11:30If ADMK is able to manage the crowd,
11:32if DMK is able to manage the crowd,
11:34even VCK,
11:35which they claim to be a small party,
11:37can manage 7 lakh people in Trichy,
11:39why can't TVK,
11:40that claims to be the primary force
11:43in the arena now,
11:44manage even 5,000 people
11:47at one time?
11:48Amore, do you want to respond to that?
11:49First, the question that Matur Satya raised
11:51on why is it that we see a delay
11:53always in a statement from Vijay?
11:56We saw this in the aftermath
11:57of the Karoor Stampede.
11:58There were so many questions asked
12:00of how he chose to respond
12:01to that particular incident.
12:03And now this,
12:04no statement that's coming from Vijay.
12:06TVK, yes, from Vijay.
12:10TVK is Vijay only.
12:11Vijay is TVK.
12:12That is the truth, right?
12:13Ma'am, there's a difference.
12:15Ma'am, there's a difference.
12:15If I see a post
12:17from the DNK,
12:18if I see a post
12:19from Ari Valiam
12:20versus when I see
12:21from the Chief Minister,
12:23there's a difference, ma'am.
12:25Okay, what happened in Arshu?
12:27They are talking about this.
12:28What happened in Arshu?
12:29It is a failure of...
12:30Ma'am, this is highly insensitive
12:31that you do water voluntary
12:32when one of your own supporters
12:34has died.
12:35Don't do water voluntary.
12:37Own up your responsibility.
12:38Say that you will do better.
12:40Say your leader will come out
12:41and tell whatever he wants to tell
12:43instead of blaming it.
12:45You are not respecting
12:46the victims of Arshu also
12:47if you do this water voluntary
12:48when one person has died
12:49from your own rally.
12:50It is not like that.
12:51We have...
12:52Our chief has called
12:53all the persons
12:54from the Karur
12:55who was affected
12:56and saw them.
12:56Like, he is doing
12:58whatever he can.
12:59So, what I am trying to say
13:01is like...
13:01That you will know, ma'am.
13:02How will public know?
13:03I will public know
13:04before going to the book
13:05that Vijay will save them
13:06in times of trouble.
13:07Everyone who is talking,
13:07independent leaders
13:08or spokesperson,
13:08whoever is talking,
13:09it is from the directions,
13:11from the TVK chief.
13:12So, you cannot say...
13:13But then what stops,
13:13Mr. Vijay?
13:14I'm sure you understand.
13:16I'm sure you understand
13:17the optics.
13:18The optics involved here.
13:20He is upset about this.
13:21Like, you cannot say
13:22randomly like that.
13:24He is upset about this.
13:25He is very sad about this.
13:26That is why
13:27we are expressing
13:28our condolences.
13:29All our second-run leaders
13:30have, like,
13:32showed their condolences
13:33and all those things.
13:34So, you cannot say...
13:35It's exactly that.
13:35Secondary leaders.
13:36But also, okay,
13:37the other point.
13:38Let's move to the other point,
13:39Teinmuri.
13:39My next question to you.
13:41Teinmuri, just hold on.
13:42The next question to you
13:43is also about restrictions
13:44and the fact that
13:45the TVK is constantly fought it.
13:47Mr. Vijay,
13:48even today in the Salem rally
13:49spoke about it,
13:50saying there are attempts
13:50to stop us
13:51with all of these restrictions.
13:53But now you know
13:54why those restrictions
13:54are in place.
13:55Because the TVK
13:56is struggling
13:56with every single event
13:58to ensure
13:59that it's mishap-free.
14:01So, see,
14:02we have given passes
14:04to 4,998 people.
14:06If more people are attending,
14:07whose responsibility
14:08is to stop them?
14:09The police would have stopped,
14:11right?
14:11The organizers too.
14:12People are there.
14:13Yes, the police,
14:14but the organizers too, ma'am.
14:15No, no, it is not.
14:17It is not.
14:17Like, the police
14:18should have stopped.
14:19If they cannot,
14:20they can say, right,
14:21like, there are more people
14:22we cannot contact.
14:23But the problem is not that.
14:24Even the boxes
14:25for more people,
14:27but only 50%
14:28of occupancy
14:29they have done.
14:30And the boxes are huge.
14:31In each boxes,
14:32only 50% occupancy
14:34has been given
14:35and all those things.
14:36So, it is not about the space.
14:38It is like,
14:39he was sick
14:39and he was not able
14:40to take the heat.
14:42But we have given
14:43enough water
14:43and we have given
14:44necessary facility
14:45for the persons
14:46if they become dehydrated
14:48or if they have any problem.
14:49We have given enough things.
14:51You cannot just blame us
14:52like by saying,
14:53like, you are not doing great,
14:54you are not doing.
14:55Madurai conference,
14:56there is only one person.
14:57That too,
14:58he was sick.
14:58And we have given
14:59all the necessary
15:00first aid
15:01and all those things.
15:02And he himself said,
15:03like, I will go to my hometown
15:04and then he will
15:05went with his friends.
15:07He went with his friends
15:07and after that,
15:08it happened.
15:09We are sorry for that.
15:10We are not saying
15:11we are not sorry
15:12and all those things.
15:12We are really sorry.
15:14And each of the lives
15:15who...
15:15We'll give you a sorry.
15:16We'll simply give you a sorry.
15:17We'll give you a sorry.
15:18Our family.
15:20You will kill people
15:21and then say sorry.
15:22That'd be safe.
15:23Let me bring in
15:24Kovai Satyan also on this.
15:26Kovai Satyan,
15:26the question from the TVK is,
15:28don't the police
15:29also have a certain
15:29responsibility
15:30to ensure,
15:32you know,
15:32that all necessary
15:33arrangements are made
15:34at a rally?
15:35And so the AIA-DMK,
15:36of course,
15:37has been extremely
15:37critical of Vijay.
15:38But are questions
15:39also bound to be asked
15:41of what the police
15:42are doing here?
15:45It is bound to happen.
15:47And the blame game
15:48will continue.
15:48TVK will blame
15:49the police force
15:50for allowing
15:51more number of people.
15:52If they are stopped
15:53then and there,
15:53they also will take it
15:54as a political mileage
15:55saying that,
15:56see our cadres
15:57are being stopped.
15:58So it's like,
15:59I will continue.
16:00But what is
16:01deriving of
16:02the...
16:02No, but why isn't the AIA-DMK?
16:03You know,
16:03it seems like the AIA-DMK
16:04is also happy,
16:05much like the DMK
16:06to point fingers
16:06at TVK.
16:07The AIA-DMK,
16:09you know,
16:09I've seen no questions
16:10being asked to the police.
16:12I'm...
16:12I'm...
16:13I'm so sorry
16:14to get this statement
16:15from you.
16:15It is not...
16:15We are not happy
16:16at the loss of a life,
16:17precious life.
16:19You are just
16:1937 years of age.
16:20I'm saying
16:21own up responsibilities
16:22because there is
16:23an incident
16:24which took place
16:25which claimed
16:2541 lives.
16:27It is our leader
16:27who pointed the fingers
16:28at the police.
16:29Then the entire
16:30scenario got changed.
16:32Else,
16:32Mr. Vijay
16:33would have been
16:33behind bars by now
16:34from DMK
16:36because of the
16:37criminal suit
16:38they filed.
16:39Own up responsibilities.
16:40You can't be making
16:40statements
16:41and your actions
16:41should not
16:42give an impression
16:43that you are
16:44immature and irresponsible.
16:46That's what
16:47it's turning out to be.
16:48And rally is not
16:50something like
16:51an army camp
16:51where you conduct
16:52a screening test
16:53to who is physically fit.
16:54A rally is
16:55attended by all
16:56the people
16:56on all walks of life.
16:59It has been
17:00attended by
17:00all sorts of people
17:02belonging to
17:03the different
17:03segments of the
17:04society
17:04because they are
17:04the voters.
17:06Now you say
17:06that we ask
17:07only fit people
17:07to come.
17:08We ask only
17:09this one to come.
17:10You can't define
17:11that.
17:11It is not possible.
17:12Is there only so much
17:13that also
17:16the organizer
17:17can do?
17:18Is it right?
17:19And the TVK
17:19raises this question
17:20of what was the
17:21police doing?
17:22They also have
17:22a certain
17:23responsibility
17:23to ensure
17:24a crowd
17:24is managed
17:25to ensure
17:25a rally
17:26is held
17:26properly.
17:28Yes.
17:29There is
17:30a part of
17:30responsibility
17:31with the
17:31police.
17:32But what
17:32has police
17:32done over
17:33the last
17:33few months
17:34is that
17:35for every
17:35rally of
17:36TVK
17:37take
17:38Pondicherry
17:38police
17:39or police
17:39in Erodo
17:40they have
17:40increased
17:41the number
17:41of police
17:42attending
17:42for TVK.
17:43That is
17:44usually
17:45only 10%
17:47of it
17:47or 15%
17:48of it
17:48goes to
17:49other
17:49parties'
17:49rally.
17:50In TVK's
17:51rally
17:51the proportion
17:52of the
17:52number
17:52of people
17:53participating
17:53and police
17:54is the
17:54highest
17:54in Tamil Nadu.
17:56In spite of
17:56this if you're
17:57blaming police
17:57then who
17:58should take
17:59the ultimate
17:59responsibility?
18:01Police has
18:01given more
18:02force
18:02as you asked
18:03and they
18:04have asked
18:05the court
18:05director
18:06they have
18:06put in
18:07an SOP
18:07you won't
18:08honour the
18:09SOP
18:10you won't
18:10listen to
18:11the directions
18:11of the
18:11police.
18:12Every TVK
18:13rally you
18:13will see
18:14videos of
18:14police
18:15yelling at
18:16the TVK
18:16cadres
18:17asking them
18:17to stick
18:18to the
18:18rules
18:18asking them
18:19to restrict
18:19the people
18:20that are
18:20coming in.
18:21These are
18:21school children
18:22issues that
18:22TVK cadres
18:23cannot
18:23understand
18:24not because
18:25they are
18:25immature
18:25but because
18:26their leadership
18:27is immature.
18:28They are saying
18:31the people
18:32are coming
18:32immature on
18:33all those
18:34things.
18:34What?
18:3450 to 75
18:35years?
18:36When they
18:38were ruling
18:38they should
18:39have
18:39politicized.
18:40They haven't
18:41done that.
18:41If you are
18:41saying that
18:42point I will
18:42say that
18:43point.
18:43I will
18:44say clearly
18:44you failed
18:45to politicize.
18:47I know
18:47from which
18:48panel you
18:48are talking.
18:49You are
18:49supporting which
18:50party everyone
18:51knows about
18:52that.
18:52So if you
18:53are supporting
18:54directly then
18:54say directly
18:55you are
18:56supporting the
18:56party.
18:56If you are
18:59talking about
19:00the crowd
19:00they failed
19:01to politicize.
19:02we will
19:02slowly
19:03politicize.
19:03That I
19:03will agree.
19:04I don't say
19:04that.
19:05I don't say
19:05that.
19:05The sole
19:06responsibility of
19:08the government
19:09is to
19:10protect the
19:11people.
19:11To protect
19:12the people.
19:13If you say
19:13like...
19:14Hold on.
19:14Ultimately
19:15I don't want
19:16to let this
19:17break down
19:19into a political
19:20fight because
19:20there is much
19:21beyond that.
19:21A life has
19:22been lost.
19:22Ultimately
19:23Tedmuri
19:23present.
19:23Now the
19:24question will
19:24be this.
19:25Two rallies,
19:26two incidents
19:26have taken
19:27place.
19:27Now one in
19:28Karur.
19:28Now one in
19:29Salem.
19:30Is there
19:30clearly a need
19:31to rethink
19:32how these
19:33rallies are
19:33being organized
19:34even on the
19:35part of TVK?
19:36Ma'am, we
19:39will try to
19:40avoid this
19:40kind of
19:41things next
19:41time.
19:42I am sure
19:42about that.
19:43But the
19:44thing is we
19:44have done
19:46whatever the
19:46arrangements that
19:47has to be
19:47done.
19:48We have
19:48done our
19:49part.
19:49We have
19:49arranged the
19:50ambulance.
19:50We have
19:50arranged the
19:51snacks.
19:52We have
19:52arranged water
19:53bottles.
19:54And we have
19:54arranged all
19:55the volunteers
19:56who can help
19:58the people if
19:58they have
19:59support.
19:59We have
20:00done everything
20:00from our
20:01part.
20:01From next
20:02time we have
20:02to make
20:02sure that
20:03children,
20:05elderly women
20:06and pregnant
20:07women and
20:08anyone who
20:09is sick,
20:10they should
20:10not come.
20:11We have to
20:11request more
20:12and more.
20:12We are
20:13trying.
20:13We are
20:13requesting.
20:14All our
20:15leaders are
20:16requesting.
20:17Okay.
20:17I hope this
20:19gets fixed
20:19because in
20:20these kind of
20:21circumstances to
20:22have rallies,
20:22to have
20:23campaigns,
20:23to have
20:23events is
20:25simply unacceptable
20:26that we are
20:26seeing the
20:27loss of life
20:28in this
20:28manner.
20:2941 in
20:30Karur,
20:30now 1 in
20:31Salem.
20:32Something is
20:32going wrong.
20:33And clearly we
20:33need to plug
20:34whatever it is
20:35because these
20:36kind of debts
20:36is not something
20:37that we can
20:38ignore and
20:39continue with
20:39rallies,
20:40campaigns and
20:40election events
20:41over.
20:42But let's
20:42thank my
20:43guests for
20:44joining us on
20:45this broadcast.
20:45let's also
20:47focus on
20:48exactly what
20:48played out
20:49in Salem.
20:50When Vijay
20:50was there at
20:51that particular
20:52campaign,
20:53he lashed out
20:53at Stalin
20:54also over
20:55that very
20:56issue,
20:56saying that
20:57there are
20:58constantly
20:58attempts being
20:59made to
20:59stop my
21:00rallies with
21:00a number
21:00of restrictions.
21:01In fact,
21:02even in a
21:02conversation
21:03that India
21:04today's
21:04Rajdeep
21:05and Pramod
21:05had with
21:06Vijay a
21:07couple of
21:07days ago,
21:08he spoke
21:09about alliances,
21:10he spoke
21:10about how
21:11confident he
21:12is of
21:12winning.
21:12Let's get
21:13you all
21:13of those
21:13details.
21:15The political
21:21temperature in
21:22Tamil Nadu
21:23is soaring.
21:24In an
21:24exclusive
21:25conversation with
21:26India today,
21:27TVK chief
21:27Vijay exuded
21:28confidence that
21:29his party will
21:30have a sweeping
21:31victory as
21:31people want
21:32change in
21:33Tamil Nadu.
21:34He told
21:35voters to
21:35take money
21:36from the
21:36DMK but
21:37vote for
21:38the whistle,
21:39the TVK
21:39symbol,
21:40insisting that
21:41his party
21:41will not join
21:42NDA or
21:43the India
21:43block.
21:45In
21:45AIA-DMK
21:46stronghold
21:47Salem on
21:48Friday,
21:49Vijay's
21:49presence was
21:50loud,
21:50fiery and
21:51unstoppable.
21:53He launched
21:53scathing
21:54attacks on
21:54Chief
21:55Minister
21:55M.K.
21:55Stalin,
21:56accusing him
21:57of denying
21:57TVK rallies,
21:58failing law
21:59and order
22:00and ignoring
22:01people's
22:01wishes.
22:03Calling it
22:03a pure
22:03TVK
22:04versus evil
22:05DMK
22:05battle,
22:06he promised
22:07change.
22:12out of
22:16control.
22:18Pengal
22:19out of
22:20control.
22:22Out of
22:24control.
22:26Out of
22:28control.
22:31Four
22:31years,
22:31four
22:32years,
22:32three
22:33years,
22:33now,
22:34one
22:35one
22:35three
22:36three
22:36three
22:37three
22:37three
22:37three
22:38three
22:39four
22:39four
22:40three
22:41He also targeted AIADMK's Edapaddi K. Palaniswami, accusing the AIADMK of looting people and running on borrowed publicity.
23:11Vijay's attack comes right after EPS dismissed Vijay as a star, not a politician, while speaking at the India Today round table.
23:41Vijay's rally in EPS home turf of Salem sent a strong message.
23:47Western Tamil Nadu, a key electoral belt, is now the stage for a showdown of epic proportions.
23:54With TVK's guns blazing, fiery rhetoric and promises of change, Tamil Nadu politics is on the edge of a dramatic twist.
24:02Will the whistle triumph over the old card?
24:06With Anikha in Salem, Bureau Report, India Today.
24:09Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced a mega bumper sop for women,
24:16crediting a total of 5,000 rupees directly into bank accounts of 1 crore 31 lakh women beneficiaries.
24:23This is a massive scheme that's always been there in Tamil Nadu.
24:27But what we've seen essentially is an advance of 3,000 being credited because, as the Chief Minister says,
24:34that money will not go through because he says the election commission will block it.
24:38And add to it a bumper, 2,000 rupees that's been announced.
24:43Let's get you all the details on, in fact, what this means.
24:47It's become, of course, a major political flashpoint also ahead of the elections in the state.
24:52Joining us on this broadcast, we've got Dr. Kanimuri Somu, Member of Parliament from the Dravidar Moneta Kargam.
24:58Vanakha, ma'am, thank you for your time.
25:00Dr. Sumansi Raman, political analyst, is also with us.
25:03Dr. Sumansi Raman, I'd like to begin with you first.
25:06What you make of this particular announcement.
25:08Is this truly going to be a game changer in securing the women vote for the DMK?
25:14I'm not too sure how much of an impact it would have.
25:18It would certainly have some impact.
25:19Now, the point really is that people are seeing this to some extent for what it is.
25:27A kind of a, you know, the only word one can use here is a kind of a bribe.
25:34Because let's forget this 1,000 rupees being released in advance.
25:39There is 2,000 rupees being given for summer expenses.
25:42Now, when in the history of Tamil Nadu has summer expenses been given to women?
25:50And what are these summer expenses?
25:52Now, will there be monsoon expenses, winter expenses and various other excuses for giving out, distributing cash?
26:01I mean, it is extremely unfortunate that here is a government that is borrowing 1,00,000 crore rupees every year.
26:08Which has doubled the debt of the state and which very pertinently has been indicted by the CAG for having spent the borrowed money on day-to-day operations.
26:23So, I think that it's extremely unfortunate.
26:25Like I said, 1,000 rupees was a campaign promise.
26:29You gave 1,000 rupees.
26:30Now, you're giving it in advance to prevent the election commission from clamping down.
26:34No problem.
26:35But what is this extra 2,000?
26:37You have given 3,000 for Ongal this year.
26:40Dr. Kannamoli Somu, would you like to respond to that?
26:43Is this essentially, let's be very clear, timed to an election?
26:49I wouldn't look at that as in the way, the context of what Dr. Sumanthi Raman is speaking.
26:57See, really we are very, very careful of dealing with the women's Magali Urimet Togai.
27:04And we know Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly elections are around the corner.
27:09And in the last week of February, we are going to have the announcement for the dates.
27:13And once it is announced, we would not be in a position to give it to the women who have been benefiting.
27:19Around 1.31 crore of women has been benefited through the Magali Urimet Togai scheme, which we know, which they have been getting it for the last three years, post two years of COVID.
27:29And we are in the concern of the women should have this welfare in the proper way.
27:35That was the reason for giving it in an advance of around February, March and April, the 3,000.
27:42The 2,000, what Dr. Sumanthi Raman is talking about, yes, of course, we are very sure we would make it up again in the 2026.
27:51In the April elections, 2.00 driverian government election, modern election, we will win.
27:57And we would come on, we will also, we can also say it, yes, we have given it for the month of May and June.
28:02And those two months are the months where the women have to pay the fees for the kids.
28:06Taking all this into the consideration, as a brotherly, as a fatherly affection, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has given this.
28:15Now, another point, what Sumanthi Raman said was, he said, Tamil Nadu is borrowing so much and giving it in this side.
28:22Let me be very clear this point.
28:25We are borrowing, we are giving it.
28:27Our GDP is also in the double digit from what it was in the previous two terms of the AIADMK's government.
28:34But we are not borrowing and paying the interest as what the central government is doing.
28:39Let us be very clear on that.
28:41The central government is borrowing fund.
28:42But is this good economics, ma'am?
28:43Ultimately, you know, there's always been a debate over these kind of schemes of money, of doles being given out.
28:51Whether it's good economics, would you concede that it's not?
28:53Let us not call it as doles, ma'am.
28:56Let us be very clear that it is a Urimai Tokai for the women and it is their right to take it.
29:01Because we have named it that way and let us not put that word of dole.
29:05It doesn't, as a woman, I don't think we should also respect our womankind.
29:10And let us call it as a Urimai Tokai or the right to women what is what we are giving it, ma'am.
29:16Ma'am, dole merely is a benefit.
29:18So, I mean, I don't think it's a wrong term to use.
29:20But sure, Dr. Sumansi Raman, go ahead quickly before I bring in Mr. Kovey Satyan.
29:23I want to know whether women did not have to pay their children's school fees for the last four years.
29:30Only this year, schools have started collecting fees, you know, before they reopen.
29:35What kind of logic is this?
29:37Four years, this government has completed.
29:39They're completing five years.
29:41They've never given summer expenses.
29:44And why can't?
29:45And a government, madam says, we are anyway coming back to power.
29:50So, why do you need to give 2,000 rupees like this randomly?
29:54There is no reason.
29:55Dr. So, who do you want to respond?
29:57You can give it after the election.
29:58Go ahead, ma'am.
30:00Ma'am, we would have our elections in seven or eight phases.
30:04The whole India is aware of it.
30:06And definitely after the elections, everything has to settle down by May in May 1st week.
30:12Only then we would come back.
30:14And we are just taking care of our womanhood who's been toiling for all these years.
30:18No, but to the question that Dr. So, has asked about every year.
30:22They have been paying fees with all the difficulty, ma'am.
30:25See, men usually, more than men, women take care of the family these days.
30:32Because we have empowered women in Tamil Nadu.
30:34They have been given education.
30:36Then compared to women, women take it on the stroll and they do so many things.
30:41So, why hasn't this been done in the last four years, ma'am?
30:44This year, they have started taking care of their families.
30:46Ma'am, we have already told in the 2026, along with this fund release credit, our chief
30:55minister has also announced that in the next manifesto, it would go up to 2,000.
31:00So, it is a precursor of that.
31:03That is all.
31:03You should look at it like that as a benefit for the women.
31:05It is nothing to do with, it's like a Chumma Tejas borrowing, giving.
31:11It's nothing for it.
31:12It is for the women's welfare sake.
31:15It is for the women's livelihood is what we are trying to give.
31:18Anyway, we are going to announce 2,000.
31:20It's our election manifesto, which has been announced by our chief minister.
31:23So, ultimately, the political takeaway of this, and I'll bring in Mr. Kowai Satyan on this
31:28of the AIA DMK.
31:29I'll come back to you, sir.
31:30Mr. Kowai Satyan, what do you make of this?
31:33You know, is this something that the AIA DMK will be worried about, that this could be
31:37a game changer of sorts in getting in the women vote for the DMK, which is about one and a
31:42half months to go?
31:43See, after this announcement, two things have become evident and clear.
31:50The first thing is, when our leader announced the increase of this to 2,000 rupees from
31:55our earlier manifesto, 1,500, DMK's M.K.
31:59Stalin is so rattled and scared, because his ground has started to slip really faster than
32:04what he has really thought.
32:07And the second thing is, the desperation of crowning his son, Uday Nidhi, to the role of
32:11chief minister, is so evident.
32:14So, this fear of loss and desperation has driven this rolling out of 2,000 rupees.
32:20That's clear.
32:21And what is most surprising is, the kind of narratives that DMK's ecosystem is peddling
32:27and justifying the summer dole of 2,000 rupees.
32:30A while ago, another spokesperson says that the 2,000 rupees is for buying the uniforms for
32:34the school children.
32:35Now, here it is for the school fees.
32:38So, it's clearly evident this DMK, the entire ecosystem is rattled.
32:42Because this is going to be the end of the dynasty rule, end of the political journey
32:45of M.K.
32:46Stalin and his son, Uday Nidhi.
32:48This will put an end to the dynasty rule.
32:50And what is more important is...
32:50Dr. Soomu, do you want to respond?
32:51Ten seconds, ten seconds.
32:53Ten seconds.
32:53Yeah, yeah.
32:54Finish.
32:54Ten seconds, ten seconds.
32:55What is more important is, 2021, the poll promised by M.K.
32:59Stalin is, 1,000 rupees will be given for every woman.
33:02The total number of voters stands at 3 crore and 24.
33:073.24 crores.
33:09Okay.
33:09Now, rolling out for a lakh and 30 and saying that they deserve it, they have the right,
33:15they are eligible, clearly has not gone well with the rest of 2.24 crores.
33:20Okay.
33:21Dr. Kanimuri Soomu, do you want to respond to the AIA DMK saying...
33:2430 lakh women getting the eligibility after 55 months.
33:27Okay, sir, let the DMK respond to what you have said.
33:30Dr. Kanimuri Soomu, your response to the AIA DMK saying this is merely a reaction.
33:34Ma'am, it is not so.
33:36We have seen the ADMK head, Edapadi Padesami, saying that giving 1,000 rupees is a bribe
33:45and all that.
33:45It cannot be given because when they left the government, they had put their almost, it
33:52was a nil balance and it was in the minus what they had kept and went.
33:55But now it is not so.
33:58It has drastically, a financial status of Tamil Nadu has increased.
34:02Of course, we have borrowed, he might say, Satyan might say, yes, they have taken, yes,
34:07we have borrowed, we have grown the GDP.
34:09The GDP from single digit, what was in the AIA DMK period has now come to double digit.
34:14Our industrial growth has come.
34:16Our CM has gone and brought in the funds from abroad to Tamil Nadu for investing here.
34:22Growth is happening.
34:23Women force is getting more and more into working ecosystem for women and Tamil Nadu has improved.
34:29The higher education quality of percentage of dropouts have come down because of the other
34:36various schemes.
34:37Because we have been giving 1,000 rupees again over there for those students who are getting
34:42into post-graduation.
34:44See, these are all we empower in women towards education.
34:47So that we have to have in mind.
34:51Let me bring in, let me bring in Temmuri Prasanna, spokesperson of the TVK.
34:55Temmuri, as a woman, as a woman politician particularly, do you agree with this particular step that's
35:02been taken that this ultimately benefits women?
35:04It benefits women, I agree.
35:10But the thing is, my question is, both the parties have ruled for the past 75 years nearly.
35:18And if the people are still in a stage to get a relief and then get the school, they have
35:26discussed about like getting the school children uniform and then school fees and all those
35:32things.
35:33Is this how the economy of the people are still there?
35:37They have to accept that.
35:38And they were talking about the industrial growth.
35:41But they have to give a white paper report that how many industries have been created and
35:47how many job opportunities have been created.
35:49Have they really created the job opportunities as per the promises they have given in the
35:55manifesto that yearly 10 lakhs jobs nearly they will create?
35:59They have to say that.
36:00Another thing is, they are giving 2,000 now.
36:04But they have announced that they will give for all women.
36:07But they have been given for the first some months.
36:10And then after people asking, after people questioned, they have started.
36:14Which the AIDMK has maintained is their impact essentially.
36:17Before I wrap this up, final word to Mr. Subhansi Raman.
36:20You have heard what the DMK and the TVK AIDMK have said on this.
36:24I know Mr. Vijay has said take the money and go ahead and vote for him.
36:28But ultimately, Mr. Subhansi Raman, what do you see this impact of?
36:32Do you see this having an impact on the ground?
36:35The women vote matters a whole lot in Tamil Nadu.
36:38You may be making promises by other political parties, but getting that money in your wallet
36:42makes a big difference.
36:44Yeah, we saw that in Bihar.
36:46We saw the impact in Bihar and definitely there will be an impact.
36:49That is the reason why they are doing this.
36:51But the point is, what is actually happening is that democracy is now being auctioned to
36:57the highest bidder.
36:58Whoever is in power can keep paying money, public money.
37:02Mind you, I want to point out one thing.
37:03I mean, Dr. Kanibari Somu said, you know, we are not paying interest on the loans.
37:1170,000 crore Tamil Nadu is paying as interest every year.
37:16It was 33,000 crore when this government came to power.
37:21They have increased the interest alone by 35,000 crore.
37:26And that is going to be an ongoing, ongoing sum.
37:30Every year, 35,000 crore out of the state's budget of 3,20,000 odd crore that the state
37:36collects overall.
37:381,30,000 crore is going in salary.
37:40You know, ultimately...
37:403,20,000 crore is going in interest.
37:42What is going for capital expenditure?
37:44Hardly anything.
37:45Now, ultimately, that is the question that will be asked about, you know, all the doles
37:50that we see.
37:50And I'll use the word doles very consciously here, because this isn't something that's
37:54limited to Tamil Nadu.
37:55We see it across the country, that politics before an election is all about ensuring benefit
38:00to certain sections of the society, hoping it will translate to votes.
38:04And is that going to cost us also?
38:06Look at the economics of it, the cost of something like this.
38:09Again, I'll highlight that this isn't just a Tamil Nadu problem, but perhaps a pan-India
38:13problem.
38:14I'll leave it at that.
38:14I'd like to thank all our panellists for joining us as I wrap up this edition of To
38:19The Point.
38:19Thanks for tuning in.
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