Chennai: Over 10,000 policemen have been deployed across the city to maintain vigil as UPA chairperson chief Sonia Gandhi will arrive here today to unveil the statue of former Chief Minister and DMK leader M Karunanidhi at Anna Arivalayam today.
Sources say they would take guard at Anna Arivalayam where the statue will be opened and YMCA Grounds where opposition leaders will address a huge gathering later.
Sonia Gandhi was personally invited by DMK president M K Stalin last week. She will be accompanied by her son and Congress President Rahul Gandhi. The statue unveiling ceremony is a pivotal opportunity for the grand anti-BJP alliance that has been in the making ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanaswamy are also attending.
The leaders will be attending a public meet at the YMCA grounds in Nandanam following the unveiling of the statue on Sunday.
The DMK has also extended invitations to leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Janata Dal (Secular), Nationalist Congress Party, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the Aam Admi Party.
Sources say that VCK chief Thol Thirumavazhavan and state leaders of national parties are also set to be in attendance. Actor and politician Rajinikanth may attend the event at Anna Arivalayam.
| Kamal not to attend |
| Makkal Needhi Maim chief Kamal Haasan will not attend the Karunanishi statue unveiling event as he left for to meet people ion Cyclone Gaja affected areas this morning. Addressing press persons at the Chennai airport today, Kamal Haasan, said, “Since I have already committed to visit the areas affected by Cyclone Gaja, I am not in Chennai today.” On Mekedatu issue, the actor said, “The State government will put more pressure on the Centre.” On NGT’s order to re-open Sterlite in Tuticorin, he said, “It would affect people. Hence the State government should do the needful without fail.” |