New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay concluded his first official visit to the national capital after holding discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on a range of issues affecting the state.
The visit focused on administrative and development matters. A proposed meeting with Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi did not take place. Congress MP Christopher Tilak said the interaction was postponed due to scheduling constraints and the chief minister’s decision to keep the visit limited to official engagements.
Tilak said senior Congress leaders were occupied with organizational discussions and matters related to Rajya Sabha seats. He added that Vijay is expected to return to New Delhi on June 11 and meet the Congress leadership during that visit.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Vijay raised several issues concerning Tamil Nadu. These included the Mekedatu dam project, arrests of fishermen, the Tamil Thai Vazhthu controversy, and the expansion of his cabinet.
The chief minister expressed concern over Karnataka’s proposed ground-breaking ceremony for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery River. He argued that the move goes against the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court verdict.
In a separate meeting with Finance Minister Sitharaman, Vijay submitted a memorandum seeking priority funding for ports, national highways, railway projects, and industrial corridors. He also requested central support for metro rail projects in Erode, Coimbatore, and Madurai, along with the establishment of Institutes of National Importance in Tamil Nadu.
CPI state secretary M Veerapandian supported the state’s demands. He said issues such as the Metro Rail projects, the Mekedatu dispute, and Tamil Thai Vazhthu carry public importance and deserve attention from the central government.
Vijay returned to Chennai after completing the visit.
