Political Firestorm Erupts: EPS Blasts DMK Over Karur Stampede, Alleges Blame-Shifting

A political storm has erupted in Tamil Nadu following the tragic stampede in Karur, with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) launching a scathing attack on the ruling DMK government. Palaniswami accused the DMK of gross negligence and a cynical attempt to deflect responsibility, calling for a thorough and impartial investigation into the heartbreaking incident.

The tragedy unfolded during an event organized for the distribution of tokens, intended for beneficiaries of M.

Karunanidhi's centenary celebrations. What should have been a well-managed public gathering spiraled into chaos, leading to a stampede that claimed lives and left many injured. Palaniswami, addressing a press conference, vehemently asserted that the DMK government bears full accountability for the lack of foresight and inadequate arrangements that paved the way for such a devastating outcome.

Highlighting what he described as a shocking lapse in judgment, EPS pointed out the absence of basic crowd control measures, insufficient security personnel, and a complete disregard for public safety protocols.

He questioned why such a large-scale event, especially one involving the elderly and vulnerable, was conducted without proper planning and crowd management strategies. According to Palaniswami, the government's priority seemed to be political grandstanding rather than ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.

The former Chief Minister did not hold back in his criticism of the DMK's post-incident response, accusing them of attempting to scapegoat lower-level officials and shift the blame away from the higher echelons of power.

He demanded that the government take full ownership of the failures and ensure that those truly responsible for the tragic mismanagement are brought to justice. Palaniswami emphasized that the lives lost and the injuries sustained were a direct consequence of governmental neglect.

Palaniswami further lambasted the DMK for allegedly exploiting the centenary celebrations for political mileage, asserting that such events must be conducted with the utmost care and respect for public order.

He called upon the public to recognize the alleged administrative failures of the current government, urging for a greater demand for accountability from their elected representatives. The AIADMK leader promised to stand in solidarity with the victims' families, ensuring their voices are heard and justice is served.

The incident has intensified the political rivalry between the AIADMK and DMK, with EPS's strong statements setting the stage for a heated debate on governance, public safety, and administrative competency in Tamil Nadu.

The demand for a comprehensive probe and stringent action against those responsible echoes across the state, adding pressure on the DMK government to provide clear answers and ensure such a tragedy never recurs.