
Expressing concern over the threat issued by some political parties against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi8217;s coming visit to Tamil Nadu, the BJP on Thursday asked the state government to ensure his safety by providing adequate protection.
8220;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,8221; 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 8211; 8216;Tughlaq8217; 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 8220;symbol of nationalism and anti-terrorism,8221; 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.
8220;If necessary, the government should resort to preventive arrests to ensure that Modi8217;s visit passed off smoothly,8221; he said.
Jayalalithaa8217;s invitation to Modi was on a 8216;friendly basis,8217; 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.