TIRUCHY: Union Home Minister and BJP master strategist Amit Shah on Monday cooked traditional pongal at the ‘Namma Ooru Modi Pongal Vizha’ organised by the party at Mannarpuram Defence land here, but left the venue without making any political statements.
Along with the BJP top leader, 1,008 women prepared Pongal at the venue.
Amid heavy security arrangements, Shah arrived at the venue around 12.20 pm and was accorded 'kumba mariyathai' (reverential full pot reception) by temple priests at the entrance. He then proceeded to the open stage, prepared Pongal in a pot kept ready, and later went around the venue, waving at the women participants. BJP cadre chanted slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” during his presence. The Union Minister left the venue shortly thereafter without addressing the gathering.
The Pongal celebration was organised by the BJP's Tiruchy urban district unit. The defence land was specially prepared for the event, with the venue divided into boxed enclosures accommodating about 20 women each. The participants, who arrived around 8 am, were provided with utensils and other materials required for Pongal preparation by the party unit.
Security was tightened across the venue for the event, with restricted access and makeshift entry and exit points installed.
Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and L Murugan, BJP State president Nainar Nagenthran, senior leader Pon Radhakrishnan, BJP Women’s Wing National President Vanathi Srinivasan, former State president K Annamalai, and other party leaders were present.
Earlier in the day, Shah visited the Thiruvanaikoil temple and the Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple, where the priests accorded him temple honours.