A 37-year-old man from Maharashtra died after reportedly suffering a heart attack during a rally of Tamilaga chief Vettri Kazhagam Vijay in Salem, Tamil Nadu on Friday.
The deceased was identified as Suraj, who was a resident of Sevvaipettai area of Salem, where he was engaged in silver work. He was married and is survived by a wife and child.
The death comes months after a stampede during Vijay’s rally in Karur claimed nearly 40 lives.
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The actor-turned-politician addressed his supporters today amid heavy police deployment and strict entry regulations. According to sources, the deceased, who was attending a meeting organized for party administrators as a spectator, suddenly collapsed.
He was immediately rushed to Manima Hospital by those present at the scene, but he was declared brought dead, reportedly due to a heart attack.
The police are still investigating the case.
Stalin, DMK in Vijay’s crosshairs
Meanwhile, during his rally, Vijay accused the MK Stalin government of denying Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) permission to hold political rallies while granting permission to others. Vijay said he did not come to Salem only to seek votes but to seek justice. He claimed that while other parties get permission immediately on request, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has been denied permission.
“They grant permission and provide space for other parties to hold conferences, public meetings or halls. But they do not and will not allow space for us ourselves. They provide a suitable place and sufficient security for other parties to meet people or be met by people. But for me, they will not provide it, nor will they provide it. What kind of justice is that?” Vijay said.
“He’s talking about Standard Operating Procedures. It’s full form is Standard Operating Procedure. But to me it looks like it means Stalin – oh sorry, Stalin, Mr. Operating Procedure,” he added. The identity cards of party members and officials were strictly verified on the spot as a precaution. The Vijay-led TVK gathering was limited to 4,998 people in accordance with police instructions. Without exception, only issued entry passes with an embedded QR code are allowed inside.
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Heavy police deployment, vehicle checks at key entrances and traffic diversions were enforced to ensure public safety and prevent overcrowding. Authorities said the measures were aimed at maintaining law and order during the high-profile political event, particularly in light of a stampede incident in September last year that left 41 dead during a TVK rally.
Stalin had announced it earlier that day ₹3,000 has been credited in advance for February, March and April under the Kalaignar Women’s Rights Scheme along with an additional ₹2,000 as a summer special package, taking the total to ₹5,000 for 1.31 lakh beneficiaries this month. Addressing party workers and supporters at a TVK election campaign meeting in Salem, Vijay told the crowd that people should take the money they are getting and then whistle into the ears of donors. “People will come and give you thousands of rupees. Please get the money because it is your money. But when you get the money, whistle in their ears and send them away,” he said. The whistle is the election symbol of TVK.
During the rally, Vijay also asked the gathering to take a pledge, saying, “My vote is my right. Nobody can buy us. Our vote is for whistling,” urging his supporters to support the party in the upcoming polls. Hitting back at the opposition questioning his political experience, Vijay said, “Other than experience in fraud, what qualities do people who question my experience have? We don’t have experience, yes. We don’t have experience in looting.”
In a symbolic gesture, TVK leader KG Arunraj presented a ‘Sengol’ to Vijay during the meeting and the Salem TVK unit also honored him with another ‘Sengol’. The 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly will go to polls in the first half of 2026. In the 2021 parliamentary polls, the DMK won 133 seats. Congress won 18, PMK won 5, VCK won 4 and others won 8.
AIADMK won 66 seats in the elections. The Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), led by the DMK, which consisted of the Congress, won a collective 159 seats, while the NDA won 75 seats.