Man faints, dies at TVK rally in Tamil Nadu's Salem

Salem: A 37-year-old man fainted at a TVK rally here addressed by party chief Vijay and died on the way to hospital, police said on Friday.

The man, identified as Suraj, a native of Maharashtra and residing here, collapsed after complaining of chest pain, and was immediately rushed to a local hospital.

"He was declared brought dead at the medical facility," a police official said. He also claimed that Suraj had undergone angioplasty sometime ago.


The police have registered a case and are investigating.

A meeting of TVK executives and an election campaign programme were held on Friday in Seelanaickkanpatty in Salem district, where party leader Vijay participated.

Speaking at the programme, Vijay said everyone was telling him to come out of the house and leave Panaiyur. He questioned if they even knew where his house was. "I tell those who think they are teasing me and talk sarcastically and mockingly that this Tamil Nadu may be a state for others. But for me, it’s my motherland and my home," he claimed.

He also stated there were eight crore people in the state. He said the entire population of Tamil Nadu were like family and his relatives, and that he was the only one who would stand up for these eight crore relatives who gave him everything.

Vijay said he did not come just to ask for votes. "I have come to ask for justice from you. I came into politics to ask for justice for you. But today I have come to ask for justice from you. What mistake did this Vijay make? I came into politics for my people who loved me. Is that a mistake? The ruling party gives permission to all other parties to hold conferences or public meetings. They (DMK) provide space. But they impose restrictions only on TVK. What is the justice in this? There is no proper place for me to go and meet the people, and no place for the people to come and meet me. They provide proper security to other parties but not to TVK.

With inputs from PTI