Tamil Nadu CM Vijay wraps up Delhi visit, skips meeting Congress leaders
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay concluded his maiden Delhi visit after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while a proposed meeting with Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi was deferred due to scheduling constraints.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday returned to Chennai after concluding his maiden official visit to the national capital, during which he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman but skipped a proposed meeting with Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
Congress MP Christopher Tilak dismissed speculation surrounding the postponement of the meeting between Vijay and the Congress leadership, saying the interaction was deferred due to the leaders’ busy schedule.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Tilak said the chief minister had decided to keep the current visit strictly official and avoid political engagements.
“The CM met PM Modi and left. He is expected to visit New Delhi again on June 11, during which he will definitely meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi,” Tilak said.
He added that Vijay’s meeting with Rahul Gandhi did not take place because the chief minister confined his visit to official programmes.
Tilak said senior Congress leaders were occupied with organisational matters, including discussions with Karnataka leaders and deliberations regarding Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand.
“Since the leadership is engaged in these pressing matters, a detailed meeting with the chief minister was not possible at this juncture,” he said.
The Congress MP also said Vijay had other scheduled engagements, including a statue unveiling ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Dismissing speculation about any rift between the alliance partners, Tilak said the Congress and Vijay’s party continued to share a strong relationship.
“We are coalition partners and part of the government. There is no complication or disagreement. Rahul Gandhi was among the first leaders to warmly support CM Vijay during his swearing-in ceremony. There is absolutely nothing negative to speculate about,” he said.
When asked about reports of a proposed dinner meeting, Tilak said he had no specific information on the matter.
Vijay wound up his Delhi trip and returned to Chennai by a special flight.
During his visit, the chief minister met Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday and discussed several issues concerning Tamil Nadu, including the Mekedatu dam issue, fishermen arrests, the Tamil Thai Vazhthu row and the expansion of his cabinet.
He also met Union Finance Minister Sitharaman and submitted a memorandum seeking priority funding for ports, national highways, railway projects and industrial corridors crucial for Tamil Nadu’s development.
The chief minister raised the issue of the Tamil Thai Vazhthu controversy, which erupted over the sequence of playing the Tamil invocation song third, after Vande Mataram and the national anthem, during his government’s swearing-in ceremony.
Vijay also discussed the Mekedatu dam issue involving Karnataka with the Prime Minister.
According to a government press release, Vijay expressed serious concern over Karnataka’s announcement of a ground-breaking ceremony for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery River. He said the move was against the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and the Supreme Court verdict.
In his meeting with Sitharaman, Vijay urged the Centre to establish Institutes of National Importance (INI) in Tamil Nadu. He also sought financial support for metro rail projects in Erode, Coimbatore and Madurai to improve public transport in key economic and industrial centres of the state.
Speaking to reporters in Villupuram, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said Tamil Nadu’s demands were justified.
“The Metro Rail project, the Mekedatu dam issue, and Tamil Thai Vaazhthu are tied to the emotions of the people. Hence, the Prime Minister should respect them,” he said.
“On behalf of the CPI, we urge the Prime Minister to fulfil the Chief Minister’s demands,” Veerapandian added.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday returned to Chennai after concluding his maiden official visit to the national capital, during which he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman but skipped a proposed meeting with Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
Congress MP Christopher Tilak dismissed speculation surrounding the postponement of the meeting between Vijay and the Congress leadership, saying the interaction was deferred due to the leaders’ busy schedule.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Tilak said the chief minister had decided to keep the current visit strictly official and avoid political engagements.
“The CM met PM Modi and left. He is expected to visit New Delhi again on June 11, during which he will definitely meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi,” Tilak said.
He added that Vijay’s meeting with Rahul Gandhi did not take place because the chief minister confined his visit to official programmes.
Tilak said senior Congress leaders were occupied with organisational matters, including discussions with Karnataka leaders and deliberations regarding Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand.
“Since the leadership is engaged in these pressing matters, a detailed meeting with the chief minister was not possible at this juncture,” he said.
The Congress MP also said Vijay had other scheduled engagements, including a statue unveiling ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Dismissing speculation about any rift between the alliance partners, Tilak said the Congress and Vijay’s party continued to share a strong relationship.
“We are coalition partners and part of the government. There is no complication or disagreement. Rahul Gandhi was among the first leaders to warmly support CM Vijay during his swearing-in ceremony. There is absolutely nothing negative to speculate about,” he said.
When asked about reports of a proposed dinner meeting, Tilak said he had no specific information on the matter.
Vijay wound up his Delhi trip and returned to Chennai by a special flight.
During his visit, the chief minister met Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday and discussed several issues concerning Tamil Nadu, including the Mekedatu dam issue, fishermen arrests, the Tamil Thai Vazhthu row and the expansion of his cabinet.
He also met Union Finance Minister Sitharaman and submitted a memorandum seeking priority funding for ports, national highways, railway projects and industrial corridors crucial for Tamil Nadu’s development.
The chief minister raised the issue of the Tamil Thai Vazhthu controversy, which erupted over the sequence of playing the Tamil invocation song third, after Vande Mataram and the national anthem, during his government’s swearing-in ceremony.
Vijay also discussed the Mekedatu dam issue involving Karnataka with the Prime Minister.
According to a government press release, Vijay expressed serious concern over Karnataka’s announcement of a ground-breaking ceremony for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery River. He said the move was against the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and the Supreme Court verdict.
In his meeting with Sitharaman, Vijay urged the Centre to establish Institutes of National Importance (INI) in Tamil Nadu. He also sought financial support for metro rail projects in Erode, Coimbatore and Madurai to improve public transport in key economic and industrial centres of the state.
Speaking to reporters in Villupuram, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said Tamil Nadu’s demands were justified.
“The Metro Rail project, the Mekedatu dam issue, and Tamil Thai Vaazhthu are tied to the emotions of the people. Hence, the Prime Minister should respect them,” he said.
“On behalf of the CPI, we urge the Prime Minister to fulfil the Chief Minister’s demands,” Veerapandian added.
