Ensure Modi's safety during TN visit, says BJP

Agencies Posted: Jan 10, 2008 at 0000 hrs
Chennai, January 10: Expressing concern over the threat issued by some political parties against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s coming visit to Tamil Nadu, the BJP on Thursday asked the state government to ensure his safety by providing adequate protection.

“The leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, a constituent of the ruling DMK-led DPA regime, had issued a statement that Modi could not return alive if he visited the state,” BJP state president L Ganesan said in Chennai.

Some parties had also formed a committee to oppose his visit, he added.

Modi is scheduled to take part in the annual function of a Tamil magazine - ‘Tughlaq’ in Chennai on January 14.

AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa will also host a lunch for him at her Poes Garden residence the same day.

Praising Modi as a “symbol of nationalism and anti-terrorism,” Ganesan said those who opposed his visit were anti-national.

He expressed hope that the state government would provide security to Modi as per protocol as he was the elected head of a state.

“If necessary, the government should resort to preventive arrests to ensure that Modi’s visit passed off smoothly,” he said.

Jayalalithaa’s invitation to Modi was on a ‘friendly basis,’ Ganesan said, adding that he would leave it to the media to speculate if it would lead to an alliance between the BJP and the AIADMK in future.