Given that the state’s BJP unit was a usually demure lot, it certainly rose to the occasion and turned the VVIP gate at the airport into a festive arena. Drums, garlands, posters, billboards and even a stage was put up by the effervescent BJP cadre at the normally security-laden gate no 6 - all this to welcome Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Arriving in the city to attend the wedding of Dhirubhai Ambani’s grandchild to the grandson of KK Birla, Modi was welcomed by over 500 BJP men. He indulged them by speaking at the podium briefly. Modi arrived in Chennai at 4 pm by a special flight and departed from the city a little before 8 pm.
This was the first time that the Gujarat CM had come to Tamil Nadu and Chennai after being re-elected as CM and he said that he always enjoyed coming here. “People always vote for a change in government every five years, but the people of Gujarat have always stood by us and showed their faith,” he said. He also said that the Congress would meet a similar fate in the upcoming polls. Much to the delight of the cadre, he said that he was happy to have come on MGR’s 96th birth anniversary. “He was a great actor and an evergreen politician. I am honoured to be here,” he said.
He proceeded to the ITC Grand Chola where he was met by several well known personalities, including the Ambanis, Kochars and even Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan.