Shah received a grand welcome in Chennai, will inaugurate development projects

Chennai: Union Home Minister and top BJP leader Amit Shah received a grand welcome in Chennai this afternoon as he get out of his vehicle and made an unscheduled walk on the busy road outside the airport to greet supporters and party workers after he landed within the Tamil Nadu capital for a two-day visit.

Mr. Shah will address party workers also as give his strategy to the state BJP to crack the politically elusive state before next year’s assembly election.


He also will dedicate a replacement reservoir outside Chennai and lay the inspiration stone for projects worth ₹ 67,000 crore, including the second phase of Chennai Metro.

Amit Shah visit comes amid signs of tension within the ties between the BJP and Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK, its ally.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami visited receive Mr Shah at the airport. His deputy O Panneerselvam, senior cabinet members and BJP state chief L Murugan were among people who received Amit Shah at the airport.

While sources within the BJP said they’re confident that the alliance with the AIADMK will continue, the regional party sees no political significance in Mr Shah’s visit. AIADMK sources said they see it is a government function.

Two issues that became flashpoints within the BJP-AIADMK ties recently were the “Vetri Vel Yatra” and therefore the BJP using the AIADMK’s iconic founder MG Ramachandran or “MGR” alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a campaign video.


The BJP’s “Vetri Vel Yatra”, planned from November 6 to December 6, was conceptualized in honour of Lord Muruga known for his “Vel” or spear.

When the AIADMK government banned the yatra over Covid worries, the BJP asserted its right to carry the event. The BJP said its rally – an annual exercise – was against what it called the anti-Hindu agenda of some parties.

Soon after, the AIADMK was reportedly upset when the BJP used MGR’s clip during a campaign video featuring PM Modi.

Tamil Nadu will vote for a replacement government in but six months. This may be the primary state election after the death of the tallest leaders of the 2 main rival parties – J Jayalalithaa of the AIADMK and M Karunanidhi of the DMK – and therefore the BJP senses a chance to undertake and make its space during a major state within the southern a part of the country, where the ruling party largely remains a minor player except in Karnataka.

The AIADMK is taken under consideration by the BJP as a friendly party and it’s helped the govt. push legislation through the Rajya Sabha in parliament, where the opposition has a favorable position.