Chennai, Dec 7 (NationPress) A request for authorization to hold a public assembly featuring actor-politician Vijay on December 16 at a private location in Erode has been formally presented to the district administration by K.A. Sengottaiyan, the Chief Coordinator of Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

The petition was delivered to the Erode District Collector, asking for official approval to carry out the event in accordance with current governmental regulations.

After the submission, Sengottaiyan addressed the media, stating that upon receiving formal consent, the organizers are committed to strictly following all safety guidelines and administrative instructions set by the authorities and law enforcement.

He emphasized that the party is acutely aware of its duty to ensure that large public gatherings are managed safely and orderly.

Sengottaiyan, who recently stepped down from the AIADMK, also noted that the initially planned roadshow as part of Vijay's Erode visit has been postponed, considering the current situation and safety issues.

Instead, the party has opted for a public meeting on December 16 at a designated private venue within the limits of Erode.

"In light of the present circumstances, we determined it would be more suitable to forgo a roadshow in favor of a controlled public meeting at a specific location," he remarked.

On the subject of potential political shifts, Sengottaiyan mentioned that it remains uncertain whether any former Ministers would join the party during the Erode gathering.

"We are also looking forward to observing what transpires at the Erode event," he added, without disclosing further information.

This cautious approach follows a tragic incident that occurred during a public meeting in Karur on September 27, where a stampede resulted in the deaths of at least 41 individuals due to a massive crowd surge causing chaos at the site.

The event incited widespread criticism regarding crowd management and safety failures at political functions, leading authorities to enforce stricter regulations for large gatherings.

In response to the Karur disaster, the administration has implemented enhanced crowd-control measures, attendance limits, and required adequate police presence and emergency services at public events.

Indoor functions and meetings held at private venues have now been favored over open-road activities such as roadshows.

Given this context, the Erode administration is likely to conduct a thorough review of the request for Vijay's public meeting on December 16 before making a final decision.

Senior officials indicated that considerations such as venue capacity, traffic management, emergency preparedness, and adherence to safety protocols will be crucial in the approval process.

If granted, the Erode meeting is anticipated to be a significant political rally for Vijay's party in western Tamil Nadu, ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections.