TN CM Vijay calls on PM Modi in New Delhi; discusses Mekedata, the problems of fishermen

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his office in New Delhi on Wednesday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Seva Teerth Complex in New Delhi and discussed key issues concerning the state, including the proposed Mekedatu Reservoir project across the Cauvery by the Karnataka government and the problems faced by Tamil Nadu’s Slankan fishermen at the hands of the Slankans of Tamil Nadu.

This was Mr. Vijay’s first visit to the state capital where he met Mr. Modi after assuming the office of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. According to an official statement, Mr. Vijay informed the Prime Minister that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister’s statement regarding conducting ‘bhoomi puja’ for the Mekedatu project was completely against the final decision 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 allow the project without the consent of the 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) was traditionally recited at the beginning of all government functions in Tamil Nadu. However, based on a circular issued by the Union Home Ministry in January this year, the National Song (Vande Mataram) was first sung at some government functions. Mr. Vijay urged the Prime Minister to direct the Union Home Ministry to issue a clarification allowing the singing of relevant national invocation songs at the start of all government functions.

The Chief Minister also expressed concern to the Prime Minister over the increasing cases of arrests and harassment of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy. There were 12 arrests in 2026 alone, while 58 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were currently in custody in Sri Lanka and 266 boats were seized, he said, urging the Prime Minister to urge the Sri Lankan government to immediately release the fishermen and their boats.

As discussions were going on with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) over the last few years to set up an Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Design and Development Center and a Center for Airborne Systems (CABS), the Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to take steps to set up a 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.

The CM met the Union Finance Minister

Later, Mr. Vijay also called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Kartavya Bhawan. During the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Tamil Nadu is the fastest growing state and investment in key infrastructure projects is necessary to sustain and accelerate this growth.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at her office in New Delhi on Wednesday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

He urged Ms Sitharaman to prioritize funding for highways, railway projects, ports and industrial corridors which are essential for the development of the state. He also urged her to allocate funds for the implementation of Metro Rail projects in Hosur, Coimbatore and Madurai, which play a key role in the state’s economy and industrial growth.

The Chief Minister also urged the Union Finance Minister to set up institutes of national importance in the state to further strengthen Tamil Nadu’s robust educational ecosystem.

Earlier, Mr. Vijay left for New Delhi on a chartered flight from Chennai airport around 10:00 am. Upon his arrival at Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi, he was welcomed by officials and given a guard of honor by the police.

Published – 27 May 2026 22:45 IST