Tamil Nadu election 2026: Karur stampede yet to fade from memory of Velusamypuram voters

Velusamypuram, located on the outskirts of Karur on the Karur-Erode  Highway, where 41 people were killed in stampede during the rally addressed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay on September 27, 2025, witnessed brisk polling on Thursday (April 23, 2026).

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However, the tragedy that shocked the conscience of the nation fails to fade from the memories of the voters. What was meant to be a show of strength for Mr. Vijay turned into one of the country’s deadliest political tragedies. That day, as Mr. Vijay arrived hours after the scheduled time, the crowds swelled and went out of control, leading to the death of 41 persons, including nine children. Many questions remain unanswered.

V. Vimal, 26, who lost his 18-month-old son Guru Vishnu, is yet to come to terms with the tragedy. He did not want to vote until Thursday morning. However, paying heed to the persistent requests of his friends, he cast his vote at the Panchayat Union Middle School at  Velusamypuram.

“Almost seven months have gone since the tragedy occurred. But the truth has not yet come out. I do not want to point the finger at anyone as I am eagerly waiting for the outcome of the investigation. I would have voted happily had the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the case, cracked it,” says Mr. Vimal.

Minutes past 2 p.m. Thursday, booth number 15 at the Panchayat Union Middle School, located a few yards from the scene of crime, registered 81.31% polling. Of the 637 electors, 518 cast their ballots, with almost four hours left for the closure of polling, indicating that the tragedy has in no way dispirited the enthusiasm of the voters.

Velusamypuram is part of the Karur constituency, where TVK candidate V.P. Mathiazhagan, one of the accused in the stampede case, takes on M. Thiyagarajan of the DMK and former Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar of the AIADMK. It did not emerge as a major poll issue, though platform speakers touched upon the subject here and there.

“It [the stampede] should not have happened. Blame game was on for quite some time. But, we are not sure of the reasons and those responsible for it. Hence, I thought that it should not influence how I should vote. I voted on the basis of other factors. It seems it has not influenced the others too,” says A. Sudhakar, 28, another resident of Velusamypuram.