Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's [Images] visit to Chennai on Monday has evoked major protests in the city.

Modi is in the city to take part in the 37^th annual celebrations of the Tamil fortnightly Thuglaq at Kamaraj Arangam.

Modi, who is on his first visit to Tamil Nadu after winning the recent assembly elections in Gujarat, is also scheduled for a luncheon meeting with All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam supremo Jayalalithaa.

The meeting has sparked off speculations about revival of ties between the AIADMK and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu CPI-M executive member V Meenakshisundaram and 119 others, including women, were arrested in Saidapet area while about 175 party workers, led by legislator S K Mahendran, were taken into custody at the Collectorate.

The protesters, carrying placards denouncing Modi and also a skull, attempted to stage the demonstration without permission, they said.

The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam had announced that its members will stage a black flag demonstration at the Kamaraj Arangam.

Security has been beefed up around the city, particularly at the BJP's state headquarters, 'Kamalalayam,' Poes Garden (Jayalalithaa's residence), and the Kamaraj Arangam, police said.