Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Seva Teerth complex, which houses the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), in New Delhi and discussed key issues concerning the State, including the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery by Karnataka government and the issues faced by Tamil Nadu fishermen at the hands of the Sri Lankan Navy.
This was Mr. Vijay’s first visit to the national capital to meet Mr. Modi after assuming office as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. According to an official release, Mr. Vijay informed the Prime Minister that the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister’s announcement regarding the conduct of ‘bhoomi puja’ for the Mekedatu project was completely against the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and the judgment of the Supreme Court.
He also told Mr. Modi that the announcement had caused great concern among farmers in Tamil Nadu and urged the Prime Minister to instruct the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission not to permit the project without the consent of the co-basin States of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.
The Chief Minister also informed the Prime Minister that the Tamil Thai Vazhthu (Invocation to Mother Tamil) has traditionally been rendered at the beginning of all government functions in Tamil Nadu. However, following a circular issued by the Union Home Ministry in January this year, the National Song (Vande Mataram) has been sung first at some government events. Mr. Vijay urged the Prime Minister to direct the Union Home Ministry to issue a clarification permitting the respective State invocation songs to be sung at the beginning of all government events.
The Chief Minister also expressed concern to the Prime Minister over the increasing incidents of fishermen from Tamil Nadu being arrested and harassed by the Sri Lankan Navy. In 2026 alone, 12 incidents of arrest had taken place, while 58 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were currently in custody in Sri Lanka and 266 boats had been seized, he said and urged the Prime Minister to press the Sri Lankan government for the immediate release of the fishermen and their boats.
As discussions had been under way for the past few years with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) regarding the establishment of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) design and development centre and the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), the Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to take steps to establish CABS in Tamil Nadu. Mr. Vijay also thanked Mr. Modi for bringing back the Anaimangalam copper plates (Leiden copper plates) to India during his visit to the Netherlands.
CM meets Union Finance Minister
Later, Mr. Vijay also called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Kartavya Bhawan. During the meeting, the Chief Minister said Tamil Nadu has been a fastest growing State and investments in key infrastructure projects are essential to sustain and accelerate this growth.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay calling on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at her office in New Delhi on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
He urged Ms. Sitharaman to prioritise funding for highways, railway projects, ports, and industrial corridors required for the development of the State. He also urged her to allocate funds for implementing Metro Rail projects in Hosur, Coimbatore, and Madurai, which play a crucial role in the State’s economy and industrial growth.
The Chief Minister also urged the Union Finance Minister to establish Institutes of National Importance in the State to further strengthen Tamil Nadu’s robust educational ecosystem.
Earlier, Mr. Vijay flew to New Delhi in a chartered flight from Chennai airport at around 10 a.m. Upon his arrival at Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi, he was welcomed by officials and given a guard of honour by the police.
Published - May 27, 2026 10:45 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
