Chennai, June 9 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is scheduled to embark on a three-day visit to New Delhi on Wednesday to participate in the upcoming NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The visit comes nearly two weeks after his maiden official trip to New Delhi following his assumption of office as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
Vijay had earlier travelled to New Delhi on May 27, marking his first visit to the national capital after taking charge of the government in Tamil Nadu.
During that visit, he met Prime Minister Modi and submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting several issues concerning Tamil Nadu.
Among the key demands raised by the Chief Minister were the need to deny approval for Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project and the necessity of finding a lasting solution to the problems faced by Tamil Nadu fishermen.
Chief Minister Vijay had also held discussions with the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on matters related to Tamil Nadu’s development and financial requirements.
However, despite leading a coalition government supported by the Congress, Chief Minister Vijay did not meet senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi during that visit.
The NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting, which serves as a platform for discussions between the Centre and states on policy priorities, economic development and implementation of major welfare and infrastructure projects, is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on June 11.
Chief Ministers from across the country are likely to participate in the high-level meeting, where issues relating to state’s development, funding support and cooperative federalism are likely to be discussed.
According to official sources, Vijay will leave Chennai at around 8 a.m. on Wednesday aboard a private aircraft and travel to New Delhi for the meeting.
The Chief Minister is expected to use the opportunity to reiterate Tamil Nadu’s development priorities and seek greater support from the Union government for key projects.
Political circles are also closely watching the visit amid indications that Vijay may meet Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi during his stay in New Delhi.
Such meetings would be significant given the Congress’ role as a key ally in the ruling coalition in Tamil Nadu and could provide an opportunity for discussions on both state and national political developments.
–IANS
aal/khz