DMDK members held a rally in defiance of a ban on the first death anniversary of party founder Vijayakanth, causing temporary traffic disruptions and a tense atmosphere in Koyambedu, Chennai. Vijayakanth, the DMDK organisation president, passed away on December 28 last year. His body was laid to rest at the party headquarters in Chennai, where daily pujas and food distribution are held.
The DMDK leadership had invited political leaders, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and AIADMK General Secretary Palaniswami, to participate in the Guru Puja and sought permission for a rally to Vijayakanth’s memorial. However, permission for the rally was denied at the last minute, which party members alleged was deliberate.
Despite the ban, the rally was led by party general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth, her sons Shanmugapandian and Vijaya Prabhakaran, and brother-in-law Sudheesh. Thousands of DMDK workers participated. Although a minor scuffle occurred between the police and DMDK members, no arrests were made, and the rally, surrounded by police, concluded peacefully.
Tamil Nadu Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Shekar Babu, attended the Guru Puja on behalf of the state government, highlighting Chief Minister Stalin’s regard for Vijayakanth. Minister Babu downplayed the denial of permission, emphasising that the rally ended without problems. Naam Tamilar party coordinator Seeman and other political figures also paid tributes, recalling Vijayakanth’s contributions to the film industry and his support for many individuals.
The event drew large crowds, including film personalities, political leaders, and the public, leading to significant traffic congestion in the Koyambedu area.
