Black flags were waved and “Go back Modi” slogans raised as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Chennai to attend the Defence Expo 2018. Parties in Tamil Nadu, protesting over the non-formation of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) were seen waving the flags near the airport in Alandur area of Chennai.
Members of the Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) were detained as they tried to enter the airport and climbed on hoardings. The group’s leader Velmurugan, too, was detained. The group has been among the many who are protesting against the arrival of the Prime Minister to Chennai.
Besides the TVK, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) members waved black flags outside the airport before the arrival of the PM.
The police were seen trying to remove the protesters from the site.
Read More: DMK’s Stalin detained following protests over CMB
Film personalities, such as Bharathiraja, Ameer and Gowtham, joined protesters holding black flags. They, too, were picked up by the police. Bharathiraja was reportedly appealing the protesters to get down from the hoardings.
DMK working president MK Stalin had said that the PM will be received with black flags upon his arrival in Chennai. The party, which has been leading the opposition in the protests over Cauvery water sharing issue, has organised various mass movements against the central and the state governments.
Besides the DMK, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, too, have been at the forefront of protests demanding the formation of the CMB. All the opposition parties and leaders have accused the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) of failing to make the Centre constitute the Board within the deadline given by the Supreme Court in its judgment on 16 February.
PM Modi arrived in Chennai on Thursday morning to attend the Defence Expo 2018 in Mahabalipuram. He was received by Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Pandit, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, and deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was present at the airport to receive the PM.