Why Vijay's second meeting with Modi in less than a month is making headlines?

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 11 during the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi, marking his second interaction with the Prime Minister in as many months.

Modi chaired the meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, while Vijay’s presence came a little over two weeks after his first official visit to the capital as chief minister.

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First Modi meeting and Tamil Nadu petition

That earlier visit, on May 27, included a 25-minute meeting with Modi at Seva Teerth.

During that meeting, Vijay handed over a detailed petition flagging a range of Tamil Nadu concerns, including the Vande Mataram circular issue, the Mekedatu dam dispute, defence projects and the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.

After meeting the Prime Minister, he also received a ceremonial guard of honour at Tamil Nadu House in Delhi.

NEET, funds and state demands

The June 11 NITI Aayog meeting again placed state-specific demands at the centre of Vijay’s Delhi agenda.

He reiterated Tamil Nadu’s opposition to NEET and proposed that MBBS admissions be based on Class 12 marks, while also urging the Centre to release delayed funds for the state.

One report said he sought ₹3,284 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme and ₹2,284 crore for the Hogenakkal Phase-II Combined Water Supply Scheme, and also asked that Thirukkural be recognised as national literature.

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Political outreach beyond the Centre

Vijay’s Delhi trip also included political outreach beyond the Centre.

On June 10, he met Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi at 10 Janpath.

The sequence of meetings has added weight to the view that Vijay is combining state-level bargaining with wider political engagement as he shapes his approach to national leadership and Tamil Nadu’s priorities.

FAQs

Q1: Why did Vijay meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi?

Ans: Vijay met Modi during the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting and raised several Tamil Nadu-specific issues, including NEET and pending central funds.

Q2: What issues did Vijay raise during his Delhi visit?

Ans: He highlighted Tamil Nadu's opposition to NEET, sought the release of funds for state projects, and raised other state concerns with the Centre.