Karur: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday launched a sharp attack on the DMK, accused the previous government of corruption, defended his administration against allegations of horse-trading, and reflected on the 2025 Karur stampede during a public meeting in Karur.

Speaking at the event, Vijay described the DMK as an "evil force" and appealed to people to deliver a "fitting lesson" to the party in the upcoming local body elections. Without naming senior DMK leaders V. Senthil Balaji and E.V. Velu, he also levelled allegations of corruption against them.

The Chief Minister said the DMK government had institutionalised corruption and urged people to reject the culture of paying bribes.

"People should boldly say they will not give bribes," he said, adding that his government had uprooted the cash-for-votes culture in the state.

Rejecting opposition allegations that his government had resorted to horse-trading to retain power, Vijay asserted that his administration enjoyed the support of the people.

"The people are on our side," he said.

Vijay also reiterated his opposition to the proposed delimitation exercise, saying Tamil Nadu would not accept any move that harmed the state's interests.

On the long-pending Mekedatu dam dispute, he criticised the DMK's handling of the issue and questioned its claims over legal action.

"When was the petition rejected by the Supreme Court?" he asked.

Recalling the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives during a TVK rally in September 2025, Vijay said the tragedy had caused him "immense anguish".

"I came into politics for my people. In the stampede, I lost my brothers, sisters and family," he said.

The Chief Minister added that he had trusted the Karur police to manage the crowd and said he was later blamed for the deaths.

"I was accused and blamed for the deaths," he said.

Announcing a new welfare initiative, Vijay said the state government would launch a gold ring scheme for newborns on the birth anniversary of Dravidian leader C.N. Annadurai.