Vijay won't meet Gandhis during maiden Delhi visit, sitting likely next week
C Joseph Vijay is unlikely to meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Thursday after scheduling efforts failed. The missed interaction came at the end of his first official Delhi visit, during which he met PM Modi.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is unlikely to meet Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Thursday, with party sources saying no appointment has been scheduled for the day. Sources told India Today TV that the meeting is now likely to take place sometime next week.
According to Congress sources, Vijay had expressed his willingness to meet Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday night, but the interaction could not be worked out. A fresh attempt was then made to arrange a meeting on Thursday morning. However, Vijay's packed schedule and his planned return to Tamil Nadu were the possible reasons the meeting did not materialise.
Vijay is now expected to leave the national capital and return to Chennai on Thursday afternoon. Sources at Chennai airport said he is likely to board a special flight from Delhi at around 10 am and land by 1 pm.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was in Delhi on his maiden official visit to the national capital after assuming office. His visit came days after his party, TVK, pulled off a surprise victory in the April 23 Assembly elections, defeating both the DMK and AIADMK. The party later formed the government with the backing of allies, including the VCK, Congress and others.
During his visit on Wednesday, Vijay met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and raised several issues concerning Tamil Nadu. Among the matters discussed were the Mekedatu dam dispute, the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lanka, and the controversy surrounding the Tamil invocation song.
In a letter submitted to the Prime Minister, Vijay said the people and government of Tamil Nadu held the National Anthem and National Song in the "highest esteem". He asserted that the state had consistently upheld the dignity associated with national symbols and remained committed to India's unity, integrity and constitutional values.
"Tamil Nadu has consistently upheld the dignity and decorum associated with all national symbols and remains deeply committed to the unity, integrity and constitutional values of India. I would also like to bring to your kind notice the long-established position of Tamil Thai Vazhthu in the public life of Tamil Nadu," he said in the letter.
The Chief Minister also urged PM Modi to intervene for the immediate release of Tamil Nadu fishermen lodged in Sri Lankan prisons and the return of their boats. Vijay pointed out that 12 incidents of fishermen arrests had taken place in 2026 so far, with 58 fishermen currently in Sri Lankan custody and 266 boats seized.
Apart from meeting the Prime Minister, Vijay also held talks with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. During the meeting, he submitted a memorandum seeking priority funding for projects linked to ports, national highways, railway infrastructure and industrial corridors in Tamil Nadu.
Vijay also requested the Centre to establish Institutes of National Importance (INI) in the state as part of its higher education and development push.