Coimbatore: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi was accorded a rousing reception by party workers as he arrived in this Textile city to kickstart his partys campaign for the ensuing Assembly elections in the western belt of Tamilnadu from today. During his three-day tour the former AICC president will address a series of meetings in the Western Kongu belt of Coimbatore Tiruppur Erode Karur and Dindigul districts. Earlier before leaving for Tamilnadu Rahul in a tweet along with a video of his previous visit–when he came to witness the rural sport of Jallikattu at Avaniapuram on the Pongal Day on 14 January and the traditional reception accorded to him–said “I am delighted to be back in Tamilnadu today to spend time with my Tamilian brothers and sisters in the Kongu belt.” The video was titled Rahuls Tamil Vanakkam and it contained a rural song highlighting the cultural importance of Tamil soil. “Lets join hands with our Rahul and take on” it said. “Together we will defend & preserve the unique culture of the Tamils against the attacks by Modi govt” he added. On his arrival by a special aircraft from New Delhi Rahul was received at the airport by TNCC president K S Alagiri and party Tamilnadu in-cahrge Dinesh Gundu Rao and party functionaries MPs and MLAs. Scores of Congress workers including women carrying and waving party flags thronged all along the route from the airport to Chitra-Kalapatti junction where he was given a public reception by the party. Later he came in a open jeep and waved to the party workers and also addressed them. Rahul would have his hands full for the next three days during which he would address a series of meetings. He would start his visit with an interaction with representatives of MSMEs for about two hours which would be followed by a public reception at Avinashi Road and Tiruppur today. After paying floral tributes at the Tiruppur Kumaran memorial pillar he would interact with industrial labour and head to Tiruppur for an overnight stay. Tomorrow he would attend a reception to be organised at three places in Erode and later interact with the weavers. After another reception at Kangeyam Rahul would address a public meeting at Dharapuram followed by an overnight stay. On Monday a reception would be organised at Karur and later Rahul would address a farmers convention. After two public receptions at Karur and Dindigul he would leave for Madurai from where he board a special flight to the National Capital at 6 pm.

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