Salem (Tamil Nadu), February 13 A 37-year-old man collapsed and died while attending a TVK rally here on Friday, addressed by party chief Vijay, police said.
The man, identified as Suraj, who is originally from Maharashtra and resides here, collapsed after complaining of chest pain and was immediately taken to a local hospital.
"He was declared dead on arrival 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 come to attend the rally where Vijay was speaking. He complained of discomfort while waiting at the rally venue and collapsed. Those present initially attempted to revive him, 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 a 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.
Describing the death as "heartbreaking," TVK joint general secretary C T R Nirmal said that Suraj had come to witness the TVK rally and collapsed due to ill health. He was immediately given first aid by party members and was rushed to a hospital without delay.
"However, he died due to a heart attack. It is heartbreaking. We express our deepest condolences for the untimely death of Suraj," Kumar said in a post on 'X.'
BJP senior and former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan criticized the TVK for the "poor arrangements" at the event and said the party should have provided water to its members.
"It is very unfortunate that a person dies at a political rally. And the state government should also take concrete measures to provide protection, drinking water and adequate medical help to the people attending such events," she said.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, she said that such tragic deaths should never happen.
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 cadres. "It would not have mattered if it happened inadvertently for the first time. But the mistake is recurring," he said in a post on the social media platform 'X.'
DMK spokesperson A Saravanan on 'X' wondered how many more lives would be lost before the Assembly elections are held.
He claimed that no arrangements were made by the TVK to provide shelter or drinking water at the rally.
A source in the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam said the party had already appealed to its cadres and also members of the public who are sick to refrain from attending the meeting.
