Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to meet PM Modi during first official Delhi visit today
New Delhi, May 27
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph C. Vijay is set to visit New Delhi on Wednesday in his first official trip to the national capital after assuming office.
During the visit, he is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to submit memoranda seeking enhanced financial assistance for Tamil Nadu and faster approvals for several key infrastructure and development projects.
According to sources, Vijay is expected to leave for Delhi on Wednesday and return to Chennai on the same day.
The Chief Minister is expected to push for greater Central support for infrastructure expansion, pending financial allocations, industrial growth initiatives, welfare programmes and major connectivity projects considered crucial for Tamil Nadu's economic development.
The visit assumes political significance as it comes just weeks after Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) scripted one of the most remarkable electoral performances in Tamil Nadu's recent political history.
Contesting its maiden Assembly election, the TVK emerged as the single largest party by securing 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, ending the long-standing political dominance of the Dravidian majors. However, despite emerging as the largest party, it fell short of the majority mark of 118 seats, resulting in intense post-election political developments.
Vijay subsequently secured support from several parties, including the Congress, Left parties, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), enabling him to comfortably cross the required threshold and eventually paving the way for the formation of a coalition government -- a political arrangement the state has not witnessed for several decades.
The development marked a major shift in the state's political structure, traditionally dominated by single-party or alliance-led governments under either the DMK or the AIADMK.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, a CM who is not from the DMK or AIADMK! TVK's rise is a breath of fresh air for Tamil Nadu politics. Vijay's coalition government is historic. Hope he can balance state interests with central cooperation. 🙏
Waiting to see if this visit actually translates into real projects. Tamil Nadu has been waiting for funds for the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor for years. Hope CM Vijay is more assertive than his predecessors. Action needed, not just photo ops! 😤
Interesting to see how a film star turned politician navigates Delhi's corridors of power. Vijay's performance in the elections was incredible - 108 seats in maiden attempt! But coalition governments are tricky. Hope TVK's maiden government delivers for the people of TN.
Vijay should focus on getting faster approvals for the Kanyakumari-Chennai high-speed rail project. That's been pending for years. Also, need more funds for flood relief in southern districts. Hope his meeting with Nirmala Sitharaman yields concrete results. Fingers crossed 🤞
Historical shift in TN politics indeed. But I'm skeptical about Vijay's ability to handle Modi's central government. The CM needs to be firm on Tamil Nadu's interests, especially on the Cauvery water issue and NEET exemption. Diplomacy is key, but don't be a pushover!
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