Chennai Rally: Accompanied by enthusiastic drum beats, vibrant folk dances, showers of flowers, and chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a 20-minute procession covering a distance of 1.4 km through Pondy Bazaar’s Pedestrian Plaza in T Nagar on Tuesday.

The PM arrived at Chennai airport at 6 pm and proceeded to Panagal Park by road, where the roadshow commenced at 6:30 pm. Modi embarked on the procession in an open jeep, accompanied by BJP state president K Annamalai and BJP’s South Chennai candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan.

Wearing a white shirt and veshti (dhoti), Modi held the lotus symbol in his hand and enthusiastically waved at the sea of supporters who showered petals upon him. Cultural programs were arranged at various intervals along the roadshow route to warmly welcome Modi.

Moved by the warm reception, Modi took to X and expressed, “Chennai has truly captured my heart! Today’s remarkable roadshow in this vibrant city will forever be etched in my memory. The fervor in Chennai demonstrates Tamil Nadu’s strong support for the NDA.”

Thank you Chennai! Today was special. pic.twitter.com/9PuBCLAdni

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2024

He made several commitments to Tamil Nadu, stating, “I assure the people of Chennai that our government will continue to work towards the welfare of this dynamic city. In the days ahead, railway stations including Egmore will undergo redevelopment… Key road projects such as the Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway and the expansion of existing road networks will enhance commerce and connectivity… Projects like the multi-modal logistics park and a discovery campus at IIT Madras are also underway, fostering business and innovation… We will continue to promote Tamil culture and language globally.”

“The NDA government remains committed to sectors like roads, ports, urban transportation, culture, commerce, connectivity, and energy. Simultaneously, we will address crucial issues in Chennai such as reinforcing disaster management capabilities to better handle calamities like floods. We will also bolster support for the MSME sector, a pivotal driver of economic growth,” Modi emphasized.

However, the day started on a challenging note for BJP officials as police removed party posters and dismantled numerous cutouts. Later in the evening, police denied permission for placards bearing Modi’s face, citing restrictions on placards with wooden handles.

Before Modi’s arrival, the Pedestrian Plaza transformed into a festive hub with dance performances and songs highlighting BJP’s policies, accompanied by traditional folk art, setting a jubilant atmosphere. Local businesses temporarily closed to accommodate the rally, and an accessible viewing area was arranged for people with disabilities. S Saroja from Virugambakkam remarked, “I am seeing him for the first time and I just wanted to have a glimpse at any cost.”

This marks Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first road rally in Chennai city in the last 10 years.