Chennai, February 13 TVK stated on Friday that the party was concerned about the safety of the public and stood with the family of Suraj, who died at the Salem rally.
The party had set up mini-clinics and mobilized over 30 doctors to provide medical assistance in case of an emergency at the venue. Sufficient measures were also taken to provide drinking water and other amenities at the rally venue, TVK joint general secretary C T R Nirmal Kumar said.
Condemning the death of Suraj from Maharashtra, Kumar said, "We were informed by the family that he had been undergoing heart treatment since last year and that he suffered a cardiac arrest today. We provided first aid and transported him to a hospital in an ambulance. Unfortunately, his life was lost. We are with the bereaved family, offering our support."
Speaking to reporters here, he claimed that TVK had allowed fewer than 4,998 people, for whom permission was granted to attend the rally addressed by Vijay. The meeting was completed in one hour and ten minutes, although it was scheduled to take place from 12 to 3 pm. The program concluded at 1:10 pm, and subsequently, the supporters dispersed from the venue.
"We are saddened by this incident. It was unfortunate. Our supporters are with the family, offering their support... we are concerned about the safety of the public, and no other incident occurred," Kumar said.
Regarding a few television journalists being roughed up by his party members, he said, "I believe there has been a slight misunderstanding. We definitely do not want this to happen again."
In response to the charges made by the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK that poor arrangements led to the tragedy, the TVK leader said, "They are trying to criticize us in order to stop our leader Vijay's public outreach program. They are targeting TVK because they know that our leader Vijay will become the chief minister of Tamil Nadu."
Expressing his condolences to the bereaved family, TVK national spokesperson Sathya Kumar claimed rumors were being spread about this incident. TVK complied with the SOPs in letter and spirit.
"Even though the SOPs imposed stringent conditions, we adhered to all of them, and the state is aware of the steps we took regarding health facilities, water, and other arrangements. The death occurred due to a medical condition. He (Suraj) had previously undergone angioplasty. As per the SOPs, pregnant women, children, and people with health conditions are not permitted to attend. However, some people voluntarily came out of love for their leaders," he said.
AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said people attending TVK rallies should carry their own coffins as they cannot expect the party to provide safety.
"Yet another precious life was lost at the TVK rally... People who are going to attend the TVK rally should carry their own coffins. This statement is not insensitive but to caution the people that they can't expect TVK to provide safety or have any hope that if any untoward incidents happen at the TVK rally, then nothing will come to their rescue."
