Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to begin his near two-day meditation exercise at Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari from Thursday.
All arrangements, including heavy security, are in place for Modi's 45-hour stay at the mid-sea memorial.
Modi will meditate at Rock Memorial, a monument built in tribute to Swami Vivekananda, following the culmination of the Lok Sabha polls campaign on Thursday.
Modi will meditate from Thursday evening to Saturday morning.
He had undertaken a similar meditation exercise after the 2019 election campaign as well.
Security arrangements
Security has been beefed up ahead of Modi's visit and 2000 police personnel will stand guard during his stay. The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy would also maintain tight vigil. Tirunelveli range DIG Pravesh Kumar, accompanied by superintendent of police E Sundaravathanam, had inspected the security arrangements at the rock memorial, boat jetty, helipad and the state guest house here.
Opposition unhappy
As the meditation coincides with the silence period ahead of the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections on June 1, opposition Congress and DMK have expressed reservation and moved the Election Commission against it.
Congress alleged on Wednesday that Modi was trying to "circumvent" the silence period restrictions with his meditation and urged the Election Commission to ensure it is not aired by the media as it violates the model code of conduct.
A petition has also been filed by a local unit of the DMK with District Collector, and District Election Officer against the PM's event, citing the model code of conduct.
"...Modi ji's visit to the Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari in the footsteps of Swami Vivekananda ji, where Swami was enlightened, is of great spiritual significance," said BJP leader C.R. Kesavan.
He claimed that the opposition is in panic and fear that they are going to lose this election.
"...They are rattled. The people will reject this negative politics of the Congress and the INDI alliance. On June 4, with the blessings of Swami Vivekananda, with the blessings of the people of Bharat, Modi ji will begin a historic term where he will usher Bharat's civilizational renaissance."
