Elections – TVK Plans Controlled Campaign Meet in Salem
Elections – With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approaching, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is set to organise a tightly regulated campaign meeting in Salem on Friday. The event will take place at Seelanayakkanpatti, where party president Vijay is expected to deliver a speech to a limited gathering.
Entry Restricted to Registered Participants
According to official instructions issued by the police, the programme has been categorised as an internal party meeting rather than a large public rally. Attendance has been capped at 4,998 individuals. Only those who have received entry passes embedded with QR codes will be granted access to the venue. Authorities have made it clear that entry will not be permitted under any circumstances without valid credentials.
District-level office bearers have overseen the distribution of authorised passes to ensure compliance with the permitted headcount. The meeting is scheduled to be held at the KVP Garden premises between noon and 3:00 PM.
Senior Leaders Review Preparations
Preparations for the event were reviewed a day earlier by key members of the party leadership. Among those present were General Secretary N. Anand, Election Management General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna, and Executive Committee Chief Coordinator K.A. Sengottaiyan. After inspecting the arrangements at the venue, they interacted with reporters and outlined the measures taken to ensure smooth conduct.
Party representatives reiterated that only designated invitees would be allowed to attend. Supporters and members of the public who have not received official passes were advised to follow the proceedings through live television coverage instead of travelling to the site. The party has appealed for cooperation to prevent overcrowding.
Strong Security Presence in Salem
In view of the high-profile nature of the programme, Salem city police have deployed substantial security personnel in and around Seelanayakkanpatti. Surveillance and monitoring systems have been strengthened, and vehicle checks are being carried out at important entry points to the locality.
Traffic management plans have also been implemented for the duration of the meeting. Temporary diversions and route restrictions are in place near KVP Garden and adjoining roads to ease congestion and ensure emergency access if required. Residents and commuters have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel through the affected areas during the event hours and to use alternative routes wherever possible.
Measures Aimed at Public Safety
Officials stated that the restrictions and security arrangements are precautionary steps designed to maintain order and safeguard attendees as well as the general public. Police sources indicated that crowd control protocols have been reinforced, keeping in mind previous experiences at large-scale political gatherings in the state.
Heightened vigilance comes in the backdrop of a tragic stampede last September during a massive event organised by the party to welcome Vijay, the actor-turned-politician who founded the organisation. The incident had resulted in the loss of 41 lives, prompting widespread calls for stricter oversight of political gatherings.
Authorities emphasised that lessons from past incidents have informed the planning of the upcoming meeting. By limiting attendance and enforcing digital entry verification, organisers aim to prevent overcrowding and ensure better crowd management.
As campaigning gains momentum across Tamil Nadu, political parties are increasingly balancing outreach efforts with safety considerations. Friday’s meeting in Salem is expected to signal the party’s campaign strategy while operating within clearly defined administrative and security guidelines.