Overview

• During a campaign stop in Anaicut, Edappadi K. Palaniswami told cadres to stop and check a 108 ambulance and to note its registration number for a police complaint.
• Palaniswami alleged the DMK was routing empty ambulances through his events and warned that a driver could end up as a patient if it happened again.
• EMRI officials said an elderly woman’s transfer from the Anaicut government hospital to Vellore was held up by 20–40 minutes as an ambulance was stuck near the rally until police cleared a path.
• The 108 driver reported he was en route to a call when cadres stopped the vehicle, tore staff shirts and ID cards, and questioned why no patient was onboard at that moment.
• Tamil Nadu Health Minister M. Subramanian rejected the allegations, arguing rallies on arterial roads impeded emergency vehicles and noting the state’s 1,330 ambulances target 8–10 minute responses.