Rahul Gandhi meets CM Vijay in TN, even as Chennai police detains anti-CEC protestors

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived in Chennai on Saturday to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Gandhi intends to attend the Congress's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' student outreach programme in the state.

His visit comes amid police action against protesters in Chennai and Delhi over demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

In Chennai, police detained more than 30 people protesting near Elliot's Beach in Besant Nagar in solidarity with the demonstrations in Delhi. The protesters raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the Election Commission's role.

The detentions took place on the day Gandhi arrived in the city for a programme centred on students and their concerns.

Gandhi is scheduled to meet Vijay at the chief minister's residence in Neelankarai before attending the student interaction at Island Grounds.

The 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme is expected to cover issues including education, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), unemployment and rising education costs. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore said between 10,000 and 20,000 students were expected to attend.

Police said the gathering near Elliot's Beach had not received prior permission. The detentions have drawn criticism from opposition leaders in the state.