Security in Chennai, Madurai for Sonia's visit

Chennai, Apr 24: Police have made tight security arrangements here and in Madurai in view of Congress president Sonia Gandhi's one day visit tomorrow to campaign for the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) in the May 8 Assembly elections.

Ms Gandhi, on her arrival from Kozhikode, is scheduled to address an election rally in the Union Territory of Pondicherry and two meetings in Tamil Nadu-one in Madurai and another here, during her whistlestop trip tomorrow.

As part of tightening security, Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel had taken control of the meeting venues, 'Thamukkam Grounds' in Madurai and 'Island Grounds' in the city, police here said.

While the TNCC president, accompanied by party leaders, visited Island Grounds and supervised the arrangements, Union Minister and former TNCC president G K Vasan did the job in Madurai.

On her arrival here at 0930 hrs, Ms Gandhi would fly to Pondicherry by helicopter and on her return, would go to Madurai by special aircraft to address a rally at 1530 hrs. She would return by the same aircraft and address a poll meeting at the Island Grounds here at 1800 hrs, before leaving for Delhi tomorrow night.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Krishnasamy said DPA leaders, led by DMK president M Karunanidhi would share the dais with Ms Gandhi in the city.

Ms Gandhi was likely to visit the state again for second leg campaigning, probably during the first week of May. Dates were yet to be finalised.

UNI