TVK’s Poonjeeri Iftaar better managed, but Vijay frenzy persists

An Iftaar gathering organised by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Poonjeeri on March 18 drew large crowds, reflecting the party’s growing outreach but also highlighting persistent challenges in crowd control.

The event followed a chaotic debut in Chennai, prompting organisers to shift to a more spacious venue with better parking and improved arrangements . Party leaders said the planning was more structured this time, with visible efforts to ensure smoother coordination.

Ahead of the prayers, Aadhav Arjuna instructed attendees to remain seated, avoid using mobile phones, and maintain decorum . For much of the evening, the crowd complied, and the prayers proceeded in an orderly manner.

However, the situation changed with the arrival of actor-turned-politician Vijay. While the gathering remained calm during the prayers, a surge of excitement erupted as he prepared to leave , with attendees pushing forward to catch a glimpse of the star.

A similar pattern was observed in the women’s enclosure. Organisers had attempted to maintain order by promising that Vijay would visit them after the prayers. Though effective initially, the arrangement collapsed toward the end , with many rushing out when it became clear he would not enter the section.

As crowd pressure mounted at the entrance, Bussy Anand announced that the event was restricted to the Muslim community as an eleventh-hour measure to control the inflow, despite earlier open invitations.

The event underscored a continuing challenge for TVK: transforming a massive fan following into a disciplined political base , even as Vijay’s star appeal continues to dominate the party’s public engagements.