Vijay meets PM Modi in first Delhi visit as TN CM, discusses Mekedatu and Tamil Thai Vazhthu row

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday, May 27, and discussed several key issues concerning the state, including the Mekedatu dam dispute, arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lanka and the controversy surrounding the Tamil Thai Vazhthu invocation song.

The visit marked Vijay’s maiden official trip to the national capital after assuming office earlier this month following the victory of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in the April 23 Assembly elections.

Vijay Submits Memorandum To PM Modi

During the meeting, Vijay submitted a memorandum seeking greater central assistance for Tamil Nadu’s welfare and infrastructure projects. He sought faster approvals and funding support for ports, national highways, railway projects and industrial corridors considered important for the state’s economic growth.

The Chief Minister also requested financial assistance for metro rail expansion projects in cities including Coimbatore, Madurai and Erode to strengthen public transport and support industrial development.

Apart from meeting the Prime Minister, Vijay also met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and urged the Centre to establish Institutes of National Importance (INI) in Tamil Nadu.

Mekedatu Issue Raised During Meeting

The Mekedatu dispute featured prominently during the discussions. According to a Tamil Nadu government release, Vijay expressed concern over Karnataka’s announcement of a ground-breaking ceremony for the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery River.

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Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the project, arguing that it violates the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court verdict on water sharing.

Vijay requested the Prime Minister to direct the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission not to grant permission for the project without the consent of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. He also said the announcement had caused anxiety among farmers in the state.

Tamil Thai Vazhthu Row Discussed

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The Chief Minister also raised the issue surrounding the sequence of the Tamil Thai Vazhthu during official government functions.

In a letter to Prime Minister Modi, Vijay said Tamil Nadu holds the National Anthem and Vande Mataram in the highest respect, but stressed that Tamil Thai Vazhthu has traditionally been sung at the beginning of official events in the state for decades.

The controversy emerged after Tamil Thai Vazhthu was reportedly played after Vande Mataram and the National Anthem during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Tamil Nadu government and certain official events at Lok Bhavan.

Vijay said the practice had caused concern among several sections in Tamil Nadu and requested the Centre to issue a clarification allowing state invocation songs, including Tamil Thai Vazhthu, to be sung at the commencement of official functions.

He stated that the invocation song symbolises Tamil linguistic heritage, culture and identity and has historically held the opening position in state functions.

Fishermen Arrests And Defence Projects

Vijay also urged the Prime Minister to intervene for the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen lodged in Sri Lankan prisons and the return of their seized boats.

According to the details shared by the Tamil Nadu government, 12 incidents of fishermen arrests have taken place in 2026 so far. Currently, 58 fishermen remain in Sri Lankan custody while 266 boats have been seized.

The Chief Minister also sought the establishment of the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Tamil Nadu. Discussions regarding setting up the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) design and development centre and CABS in the state have reportedly been held with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in recent years.

Vijay’s First Official Delhi Visit As CM

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Vijay arrived in New Delhi earlier in the day on his first official visit since taking office and was accorded a guard of honour at Tamil Nadu House. Sources said Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna and senior ministers accompanied him during the visit.

The TVK-led alliance secured a surprise victory in the Assembly elections, defeating both DMK and AIADMK. The government later won the trust vote with the support of Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML legislators.

Vijay is also expected to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah as well as senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, during his visit to the national capital.

VIDEO | Delhi: CM C Joseph Vijay (@TVKVijayHQ) receives a ceremonial welcome at Tamil Nadu House as he arrives in the national capital for a scheduled meeting with PM Modi.

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(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/xdKJH02WW0

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 27, 2026

(Edited by : priyanka deshpande)