All India Congress Committee vice-president Rahul Gandhi arrived here on Wednesday night by a special flight.
Accompanied by senior Congress leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, he drove straight to a hotel in the city.
After overnight stay here, the Congress leader would proceed to Rameswaram by a chopper to participate in the funeral of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Thursday. Following the arrival of Mr. Gandhi, a ‘Z Plus’ category VVIP, the police have intensified security in the city and peripheries.
A large posse of plainclothes men were monitoring movements of people in areas near the hotel.
Police personnel were deployed at all vantage points on the entire route from the airport to the hotel situated on Alagarkoil Road.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive here on Thursday, from New Delhi, by a special flight.
He would proceed to Rameswaram by a helicopter from Madurai, the police added.
