Chennai, February 8: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Karaikal in Puducherry on February 14. Ahead of his visit, extensive security arrangements are being put in place. Police sources indicate that approximately 500 officers will be deployed across the area to ensure tight security and manage the crowd during Shah’s public meeting.
According to police sources, personnel from the Puducherry police and related security units will be stationed at key intersections, venues, and entry points. The security measures will be directly overseen by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Puducherry. Routine and street-level patrols have been intensified, and vehicle checks at the Tamil Nadu-Karaikal border will also be increased starting Monday to prevent any untoward incidents.
Amit Shah will arrive at Thirunallar by helicopter and then address a large gathering at the Karaikal Municipal Ground. Officials have mentioned that he may also visit the famous Thirunallar temple before departing on the same day. The final schedule is expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the BJP has ramped up its preparations at the party level for this visit, which is seen as a significant political event ahead of the Puducherry assembly elections. Preparations began on Saturday with a ground-breaking ceremony for the stage and pandal at the Municipal Ground, attended by Puducherry Assembly Speaker R. Selvam, with Nirmal Kumar Surana, the BJP in-charge for Puducherry, as a special guest.
Nirmal Kumar Surana stated that the party has accelerated its election preparations and is mobilizing workers in Karaikal to ensure a large turnout. Local BJP leaders noted that this will be Amit Shah’s second visit to Karaikal, having campaigned in the area during the last assembly elections. Thousands of supporters are expected to attend the rally.
Senior party officials emphasized that the focus is on securing decisive victories for the NR Congress-BJP alliance in all five assembly seats in Karaikal. They mentioned that both parties are working closely together with renewed enthusiasm.