CM Vijay’s London event cancelled: What happened and why police raised security concerns | Today’s news
According to news agency PTI, a high-profile event with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in London was canceled on Tuesday (UK Time) due to “security” concerns.
Hundreds of fans gathered outside London’s tallest building, The Shard, to catch a glimpse of the actor-turned-Tamil Nadu CM. However, to their utter disappointment, the event was called off after the intervention of the Metropolitan Police citing security concerns, news agency PTI reported.
Read also | AIADMK takes jabs at Vijay’s London trip: Why travel to UK for Noida-based company?’
The event could not be held due to security concerns raised after a huge crowd turned up at the posh venue to meet the Chief Minister. “We are canceling the program due to public safety concerns as we do not have permission for security reasons,” a member of the Chief Minister’s team announced over the loudspeaker.
“Absolutely Chaotic”
“London is absolutely chaotic trying to catch a glimpse of Vijay. The whole London Bridge/debris area is packed. Locals wondering what the hell is going on. It’s very difficult for security and officials right now,” an eyewitness wrote on X with the video.
Shangri-La The Shard, London, is a luxury five-star hotel occupying floors 34-52 of the tallest building in Western Europe.
Some of the fans were queuing for the event organized by TVK’s British branch. “I think it’s reasonable, but all these people were waiting. This is hardly the kind of crowd we see in Tamil Nadu,” the news agency quoted a young fan who camped for several hours at the actor-turned-politician’s hotel.
Vijay is leading a state delegation to the UK to attract investment in Tamil Nadu.
Vijay’s high profile UK itinerary
CM Vijay’s high-profile UK itinerary, which included a visit to the Silverstone motor racing circuit in England where he met actor-racer Ajith Kumar, drew sharp criticism from opposition parties who questioned whether the trip was primarily aimed at securing investment for the state.
Vijay is expected to wrap up his UK tour and return to India on Wednesday.
Earlier, the AIADMK attacked the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay over his visit to London to attract investment, questioning the need for such a foreign trip at taxpayer expense.
The Chief Minister’s Office earlier said the delegation signed several MoUs involving investments worth around ₹12,300 crore during the visit.
Aimed at positioning Tamil Nadu as Asia’s leading advanced manufacturing and technology hub, the investment drive is expected to create more than 9,400 high-value jobs across the state.
Read also | Vijay for PM? How could TVK’s national ambition put Rahul Gandhi on the spot
The party pointed out that among the businesses involved was a company founded in India in 1986 and based in Noida, raising questions about Vijay’s reasons for traveling to the UK promote investment.
Out of concern for public safety, we are canceling the program because we do not have a permit for safety reasons.
On Monday, Vijay highlighted the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in London between Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd and Guidance, Tamil Nadu, for an investment of approx ₹11,000 crore in the state.
