Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting several key issues concerning the state, including the Vande Mataram controversy, the Mekedatu dam dispute, defence projects and the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. The meeting came days after Vijay assumed office as Chief Minister on May 10. During the meeting, Vijay also thanked the Prime Minister for facilitating the return of the historic Aanaimangalam copper plates from the Netherlands to India.
மாண்புமிகு இந்தியப் பிரதமர் திரு. நரேந்திர மோடி அவர்களை இன்று (27.5.2026) புதுதில்லியில் உள்ள பிரதமர் அலுவலகத்தில், மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு. ச. ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் மரியாதை நிமித்தமாக சந்தித்துப் பேசினார்.#CMJosephVijay pic.twitter.com/8Z3QVTd97b
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) May 27, 2026
In his first meeting with PM Modi, Vijay handed over a detailed petition raising a series of key Tamil Nadu concerns, including the Vande Mataram controversy, the Mekedatu project dispute, defence projects and the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. During the meeting, CM Joseph Vijay thanked the PM for bringing back the Aanaimangalam copper plates from the Netherlands.
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru @actorvijay met Prime Minister @narendramodi today.@CMOTamilnadu pic.twitter.com/xwE8THhDEV
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 27, 2026
A Tamil Nadu government statement issued soon after the meeting said: “During the meeting, TN CM thanked the PM for bringing back the Anaimangalam copper plates to India during his visit to the Netherlands.”
He also requested the Union Home Ministry to issue appropriate clarification allowing Tamil Nadu’s state anthem, Tamil Thai Vazthu, to continue being sung at the start of government events.
The statement said: “The CM also said that Tamil Thai Vazthu, the state’s invocation song, has always been sung at the beginning of all government functions in Tamil Nadu and now, following a circular from the Union Home Ministry in January this year, the National Anthem has been sung first at certain government events. In this regard, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has requested the Union Home Ministry to issue necessary clarification allowing the state invocation song to continue being sung at the start of all government functions.”
மாண்புமிகு இந்தியப் பிரதமர் திரு.நரேந்திர மோடி அவர்களை புதுதில்லியிலுள்ள பிரதமரின் அலுவலகத்தில் மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு.ச.ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் சந்தித்துப் பேசினார்.#CMJosephVijay pic.twitter.com/7vlen8rDNt
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) May 27, 2026
The Chief Minister also brought to the Prime Minister’s attention Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s announcement regarding the proposed Bhoomi Pooja for the controversial Mekedatu dam project across the River Cauvery. The Tamil Nadu government contended that the project was completely against the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and the Supreme Court judgment.
The Tamil Nadu government pointed out that the proposed project had caused deep concern among delta farmers in the state.
On May 26, CM Joseph Vijay wrote to the Prime Minister urging him not to allow the construction of the Mekedatu dam by the Karnataka government. He said: “Under this circumstance, I request you to instruct the concerned officers in the Ministry of Jal Shakti, as well as in the Central Water Commission (CWC), to reject the DPR of the Mekedatu project proposal, as it is in contravention of the Final Award of CWDT dated February 5, 2007, and the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and also advise the Government of Karnataka not to take up any new project without getting the concurrence of co-basin states and not to violate the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in totality.”
The TN CM urged PM Modi to advise the Jal Shakti Ministry and the Central Water Commission not to permit the project without the consent of all states involved in the dispute.
During the meeting, CM Joseph Vijay also referred to an ongoing DRDO study concerning the AMCA and CABS projects and urged the Centre to establish the CABS facility in Tamil Nadu. The move is being seen as part of Tamil Nadu’s push to strengthen its position in the defence and aerospace manufacturing sector.
Tamil Nadu also raised concerns over the increasing attacks on and arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. The state government said 58 Tamil Nadu fishermen are currently lodged in Sri Lankan prisons, while 288 fishing boats have been seized. Vijay urged the Union government to take steps for the release of the fishermen and their boats.
Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay is also scheduled to meet Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and several senior Union Ministers on May 27 and May 28.
மாண்புமிகு ஒன்றிய நிதியமைச்சர் திருமதி நிர்மலா சீதாராமன் அவர்களை இன்று (27.05.2026) புதுதில்லியிலுள்ள அவரது அலுவலகத்தில், மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு.ச. ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் மரியாதை நிமித்தமாக சந்தித்துப் பேசினார்.#CMJosephVijay pic.twitter.com/WTd2jgU3B6
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) May 27, 2026
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is hosting a dinner for Vijay after the inclusion of two Congress MLAs in his Cabinet. Five Congress MLAs are supporting the first-ever coalition government in Tamil Nadu, along with VCK and IUML, while Left parties are extending external support.
Critics pointed out that after winning the floor test on May 10, Vijay had called on DMK chief M.K. Stalin, MDMK chief Vaiko, DK president K. Veeramani, Left leaders, NTK leader Seeman, IUML and VCK leaders at their offices or residences. However, he did not make similar courtesy calls to AIADMK or BJP leaders, a move critics say reflects his strong aversion towards those parties.
