Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has returned to Chennai after wrapping up his first official visit to New Delhi since taking office. The two-day trip included meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Notably, Vijay did not meet with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, sparking political speculation.
Sources from the Congress clarified that the planned meeting with Rahul Gandhi was postponed, not canceled. Vijay’s visit to Delhi was primarily focused on administrative and developmental issues concerning Tamil Nadu, as per his TVK insiders. Despite expressing interest in meeting Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister’s busy schedule and return to Chennai reportedly hindered the meeting.
It is anticipated that Vijay will revisit Delhi around June 11 for the NITI Aayog meeting, where he may meet with Rahul Gandhi and Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The Chief Minister flew back to Chennai on a special flight after concluding his engagements in the national capital.
During his visit, Vijay discussed various key issues affecting Tamil Nadu with Prime Minister Modi. These included concerns over the Mekedatu dam project proposed by Karnataka, the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, and the controversy surrounding the playing of ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ during the new government’s swearing-in ceremony.
Vijay also raised serious objections to Karnataka’s plans for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, citing violations of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s final award and the Supreme Court’s directives on water sharing. Additionally, he met with Union Finance Minister Sitharaman to present a comprehensive memorandum seeking priority funding for crucial infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu, such as ports, national highways, railway expansions, and industrial corridors vital for the state’s economic development.
