The Tamil Nadu government’s Special Representative in New Delhi, N. Thalavai Sundaram, who accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others as they inspected the models of completed projects and new schemes, had an embarrassing moment as the security personnel escorting the VVIP could not identify him.

As Mr. Modi, accompanied by Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, his deputy O. Panneerselvam, Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha M. Thambi Durai, was taking a look at the miniature models, Mr. Sundaram entered the hall.

On seeing a ‘stranger’ enter the hall where the VVIP was present, the security personnel gently separated Mr. Thalavai Sundaram from the others present in the hall. A clip of the incident went viral on social media, triggering debate.

“Raising questions about his presence in the hall or asking him to move out, citing security reasons, is unacceptable,” a senior AIADMK leader from Kanniyakumari district said.

Mr. Sundaram played down the incident. “Since the security personnel escorting the PM did not know me, he just inquired about my name. Once I cleared his doubt, the issue was settled,” he said.