CHENNAI: Banners featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi adorned the premises of Amma Two Wheeler Scheme launch venue at Kalaivanar Arangam on Wallajah Road in large numbers on Saturday. In contrast, there were only three or four banners of AIADMK with limited size portraits compared to the 50-odd huge banners of Modi that adorned the gates of Kalaivanar Arangam for the scheme launch, held to mark the 70th birth anniversary of the late CM J Jayalalithaa.
Thousands of AIADMK workers, including women from Ayanavaram, Vadapalani, Saligramam, K K Nagar, Kasimedu, Royapuram, Saidapet, Old Washermenpet and RK Nagar, gathered in front of the venue to greet the Prime Minister.Many parts of Chennai city, including Guindy, Saidapet, Nungambakkam, Chetpet and Teynampet, witnessed huge traffic snarls after 7 pm. Many functions scheduled nearby were delayed by nearly one-and-a-half hours.
The AIADMK office-bearers organised various folk dances, including Mayilattam and Oyilattam, from 3 pm. A few folk artistes dressed up as Lord Muruga, Shiva, Vinayaga and Parvati were seen walking along the road. Earlier, the Prime Minister was received by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam at the Chennai airport.
In view of the Prime Minister’s visit, vehicular movement was not permitted on Wallajah Road. Instead, vehicles were diverted via Triplicane High Road.BJP State president Tamilisai Soundararajan, who arrived late for the function with her supporters, were denied entry initially. After a brief argument, she alone was allowed inside the hall.