A motorcyclist was injured after losing control and crashing during a roadshow led by actor-turned-politician Vijay in Karaikudi, located in Sivaganga district, on Friday. Video footage from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party's rally showed the rider skidding and falling while the convoy passed through the area. The incident also highlighted safety concerns, as several bikers accompanying the rally were seen riding without helmets and taking selfies on the busy route. The visuals raised questions about crowd management and adherence to traffic norms during high-profile political events.
Tamil Nadu is scheduled to vote in a single phase on April 23, with the counting of votes set for May 4. The electoral battle is expected to be closely fought between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes parties like Congress, DMDK, and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance headed by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, along with the BJP and PMK. Meanwhile, Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, is entering the fray for the first time, aiming to transform the contest into a triangular fight.
Earlier in the week, Vijay sharply criticised both major alliances while addressing a public gathering in Tirunelveli. He described the DMK-led alliance as a “cash-driven coalition” and claimed that the BJP-AIADMK partnership was no different in its approach. According to him, despite appearing as rival blocs, both alliances share a common goal of preventing his political rise. He asserted that since stepping into politics, he has exposed several corrupt practices allegedly linked to these groups, which have disrupted their usual functioning and triggered their opposition to him.
Continuing his attack, Vijay alleged that internal instability has weakened both alliances. He claimed that the so-called money-powered coalition led by the DMK is now struggling with internal distrust, with doubts even about whether its members would support each other during voting. He further argued that the situation within the BJP-led alliance is even more fragile. According to Vijay, this growing discontent explains the hostility directed at him by both sides, as his entry into politics has unsettled their strategies and undermined their electoral calculations ahead of the crucial polls.