Skulls, protest greet Modi in TN; parties plan siege

Chennai: Protests by Left parties and Muslim outfits greeted Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in Tamil Nadu on Monday as the BJP poll mascot arrived on a day-long visit to Chennai amid tight security.

Modi was received at the airport by the state BJP President L Ganesan, senior leaders Su Thirunavukkarasar, former Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan and senior party leaders and former BJP Rajya Sabha member and Tamil political weekly Tughlaq's Editor Cho S Ramaswamy.

Over 250 workers of CPI(M), an ally of the DMK-led DPA in Tamil Nadu, were arrested when they staged a protest demonstration opposing Modi's visit. Police said over 150 CPI(M) workers were arrested near the Collectorate, where the agitation was led by CPI(M) Legislator Mahendran.

The activists carrying placards and displaying 'skulls' denounced Modi for allegedly killing more than 2000 innocent people in Godhra and said he should not step into the city with his 'blood-stained hands'.

They also criticised AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa for hosting a lunch in his honour.

Similarly 125 workers, including 20 women, were arrested for staging a demonstration in front of Panagal Maligai at Saidapet. Various Muslim organisations, had also launched agitations for the last two days, opposing his visit to the city.

A conglomerate of 12 organisations including political parties like VCK, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath and Periyar Dravida Kazhagam, have threatened to lay a siege to Kamarajar Arangam, where Modi is scheduled to participate in a function.

Over 200 activists of VCK, led by MLA Selvam, and activists of Manitha Neethi Paasarai and Periyar Dravida Kazhagam were arrested on Sunday for agitating against the Gujarat Chief Minister's visit. They were later released.

During his visit, Modi will interact with party office-bearers at the BJP headquarters and proceed to AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence for a luncheon meeting in which former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will also take part.

In the evening, Modi would participate in the 37th anniversary function of Tughlaq before leaving for Ahmedabad later in the night.