Salem (Tamil Nadu), February 13 A 37-year-old man collapsed at a TVK rally here on Friday, where party chief Vijay was addressing the crowd, and died on the way to the hospital, police said.
The man, identified as Suraj, who is from Maharashtra and lives in Salem, collapsed after complaining of chest pain and was immediately taken to a local hospital.
"He was declared dead at the medical facility," a police official said. He also stated that Suraj had undergone angioplasty some time ago.
The police have registered a case and are investigating the incident.
According to the police, Suraj had gone to the rally to see Vijay. He complained of feeling unwell while waiting at the rally venue and collapsed. Those nearby initially tried to revive Suraj, but later rushed him to a private hospital in an ambulance. However, the doctors who examined him said he was brought dead.
Police claim that the incident occurred even before Vijay arrived for the meeting with district functionaries.
A preliminary investigation by a team from the Annadhanapatti police, who arrived at the hospital, revealed that Suraj was a heart patient and had undergone a procedure.
This is the first casualty at the TVK rally since the tragic stampede in Karur on September 27, 2025, which claimed 41 lives.
Flaying the TVK for the incident, BJP youth wing leader Vinoj P Selvam said it only proved the concern that the party leader had for the safety of his members. "It would not have mattered if it happened accidentally the first time. But the mistake is recurring," he said on the social media platform 'X.'
DMK spokesperson A Saravanan on 'X' wondered how many more lives would be lost before the Assembly election are held.
He claimed that the TVK had made no arrangements to provide shelter or drinking water at the rally.
A source in the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam said the party had already appealed to its members and also to members of the public who are sick to refrain from attending the meeting.