K Annamalai has been unsparing in his criticism of the DMK government after the Karur stampede that left 41 dead. But in his flurry of statements since the tragedy, there has been a glaring omission. The BJP leader has apportioned almost no direct blame on superstar Vijay, the TVK chief and the main draw at the rally where the crowd crush happened.
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Over the days following the stampede, Annamalai was at the forefront of BJP’s response. He met victims in hospital, announced compensation of Rs 1 lakh for each family of the deceased, and accompanied a high-powered BJP fact-finding panel that included MPs Hema Malini, Anurag Thakur, and Tejasvi Surya.
But the grieving families sought solace mainly from him, a sign of his stature and popularity with the people. On social media, supporters praised him as "the only sensible, talented and powerful leader who can address any issue with facts".
The Karur tragedy has become a stage for Annamala
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