In a rare public appearance since she assumed office as Tamil Nadu chief minister in May this year, J Jayalalithaa was at the Chennai airport to receive PM Narendra Modi this morning. (See image alongside)


The PM will launch the first National Handloom Day celebrations at the University of Madras in Chennai and also have an informal 45-minute lunch with the CM at her Poes Garden residence. They are expected to break for lunch at 12:50 pm after the PM's official duties are over.


Tamil Nadu governor K Rosaiah, was also at the airport. The PM's visit, which we told you about yesterday, is being described as a courtesy call.


The BJP is believed to be reaching out to the AIADMK given that the party's numerical strength of 11 in the Rajya Sabha may not get the GST Bill passed in the Upper House.