Chennai, September 30, 2025 –
Political tensions deepened in Tamil Nadu after a local functionary of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), allegedly died by suicide in Villupuram district, leaving behind a note blaming former state minister V. Senthil Balaji for the Karur rally disaster.

The deceased, identified as V. Ayyappan (50), a TVK branch secretary from Virpattu village near Gingee, was found dead at his residence on Monday. According to police, a suicide note recovered from his shirt pocket claimed that Senthil Balaji was responsible for the inadequate security arrangements at Vijay’s campaign rally in Karur, where 39 people lost their lives in a stampede.

In his note, Ayyappan alleged that the tragedy was not accidental but the result of deliberate negligence aimed at discrediting TVK. He demanded legal action and punishment against the DMK leader.

Neighbours said Ayyappan had been visibly disturbed in recent days, often watching continuous television coverage of the Karur incident. Police have seized his suicide note and mobile phone, and his body has been sent for postmortem at the Mundiyambakkam government hospital.

The Karur rally, held on September 27, witnessed a catastrophic stampede after lighting failures and crowd mismanagement triggered panic. The event claimed 39 lives, including 10 children, and injured over 80. The Tamil Nadu government has announced a judicial probe and compensation for victims’ families.

Meanwhile, TVK has accused the ruling DMK and local police of orchestrating the tragedy, and the party has petitioned the Madras High Court for a CBI investigation.

The suicide has intensified the political blame game, with questions being raised over accountability, crowd control, and the role of political rivalry in the disaster.