Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Rousing reception given to Jayalalithaa

Staff Reporter

Drove through areas under Madurai Central Assembly constituency

MARK OF RESPECT: The former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa being received by priests in the city on Tuesday. — PHOTO: G. MOORTHY.

MADURAI : A rousing reception was accorded to the former Chief Minister and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa here on Tuesday.

Amidst bursting of firecrackers, drumbeats and chanting of hymns, hundreds of party cadres received Ms. Jayalalithaa on her first visit to the Temple City after the Assembly elections. A reception was organised at South Gate where priests offered a `poorna kumbha' welcome against a background of colourfully decorated elephants.

Instead of taking the Ring Road, which is usually the VIP route, the AIADMK general secretary preferred to drive through the city covering many areas coming under the Madurai Central Assembly constituency where a bypoll is due. More than 100 vehicles of party functionaries followed Ms. Jayalalithaa's car from the airport to a private hotel on the Alagarkovil Road.

Ms. Jayalalithaa's motorcade was like the one it used to be. The VIP convoy comprised just five vehicles, including two cars of the National Security Guards. Vehicles were allowed to come in the opposite direction and traffic blocks made only at some busy junctions. Enthusiastic party workers in cars and motorcyclists drove almost parallel to her vehicle and some even overtook. Police officials said that Ms. Jayalalithaa was provided with two escort vehicles and Personal Security Officers as per the norms of `Z' category security. Adequate armed police personnel were deployed at the hotel where she was staying.

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