Erode (Tamil Nadu), 7 Dec 

Police have refused permission for Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay’s public meeting in Erode on 16 December, after former minister KA Sengottaiyan submitted a petition seeking approval.

Sengottaiyan, a nine-time MLA and former minister who recently joined Vijay’s party after being expelled from AIADMK, said the actor-politician would “visit Erode on 16 December and address a public meeting in a private land near a marriage hall.”

He met District Collector S Kandasamy and later submitted the same request to officials at the District Police Office.

Following this, Superintendent of Police A Sujatha inspected the seven-acre open site in Pavalathampalayam on the Erode-Perundurai stretch where TVK planned to hold the meeting. Police officials later told the media that the location was inadequate to handle a large crowd and vehicle movement, and therefore permission could not be granted. The decision has been conveyed to Sengottaiyan, they added.