This special report focuses on the latest developments in the Karur stampede investigation involving actor-turned-politician Vijay. Sources reveal that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued a fresh summons to the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) chief to appear for the second round of questioning on January 19. This follows a six-hour marathon interrogation session held earlier. During the proceedings, ‘Vijay had sought leave saying that since it was Pongal, he needed to be in Tamil Nadu to participate in the festivities.’ The CBI reportedly agreed to the request, allowing the leader to return to Chennai before resuming the investigation on Monday. The investigation pertains to the tragic stampede in Karur that occurred during a party event in September 2025. The program examines Vijay’s ongoing legal challenges as he balances his political commitments with the federal investigation.

The report focuses on the political speculation that intensified in Karnataka after a brief meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at a helipad in Mysuru. The conversation captured on video has triggered discussions about Shivakumar’s possible bid for the chief ministerial post, especially after Siddaramaiah has completed a record tenure. The speaker says that ‘DK Shivakumar, after earlier struggling to secure an audience with the Congress high command in Delhi, managed to pull Rahul Gandhi aside and have a brief chat with him.’ Reporter Nagarjuna Dwarkanath, giving details of the talks that took place at the Mysore airport, suggested that the AICC may soon call both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah in the national capital. The program explores the possible changes in the state’s leadership dynamics and the next steps of the high command in resolving the ongoing ‘CM drama’.

This news report examines the growing political controversy in Tamil Nadu over the harvest festival of Pongal. Chief Minister MK Stalin has sparked a debate by declaring Pongal a ‘secular festival with no caste and no religion’, calling it part of the inclusive Dravidian model. The opposition, including the BJP and AIADMK, has hit back, accusing the DMK of distancing the Hindu festival from its religious roots and renaming it for political convenience. BJP further claimed that DMK was deliberately removing Pongal from the Hindu calendar. Amidst these allegations, Stalin also accused the Central government of treating Tamil Nadu like ‘eternal Covid’, a claim strongly refuted by the BJP citing central fund allocation. The report also highlights the state’s welfare measures, including cash transfers for ration card holders and monthly assistance for female heads of households in time for the festive season.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Tamil Nadu BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan criticized Rahul Gandhi’s support regarding the release of actor-politician Vijay’s film ‘Jannanayakin’. Soundararajan termed the Congress’ stand as a ‘political drama’ aimed at ‘capitalizing on the situation’ and ‘pleasing the fans’ of the TVK chief. He cited past opposition to Jallikattu and the delay of the film ‘Kuttha Charithram’ to argue that the Congress has historically been ‘anti-Tamil’. Addressing allegations of BJP ‘hand-twisting’ Vijay through CBI inquiry and Censor Board hurdles, he dismissed it as ‘speculation’ and ‘procedural lapse’ on the part of the producers. Sundararajan insisted that the BJP was ‘very strong’ in its alliance and did not need to put pressure on Vijay, although he added that if Vijay stood alone, it could split the anti-DMK votes. He concluded that the opposition was only trying to score political points by linking BJP to Vijay’s existing challenges.