Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Joseph Vijay on Wednesday held his first official meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after assuming office earlier this month. The meeting took place at Seva Teerth in Delhi and marked a significant moment in Vijay’s transition from cinema superstar to a national political figure.
The visit is being seen as Vijay’s first major political outreach at the national level since taking charge as Chief Minister following the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly developments. Upon his arrival in the national capital, Vijay also visited the Tamil Nadu House, where he was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour, reflecting the importance of his visit and his new constitutional role.
Political observers are closely watching Vijay’s engagements in Delhi, as they may shape the future relationship between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre. His meeting with Prime Minister Modi is particularly significant amid evolving political equations in the state and at the national level.
As part of his packed schedule in Delhi, Vijay is expected to meet several prominent leaders across party lines. These include Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The meetings are being viewed as efforts to establish coordination with the Union government on administrative and developmental matters concerning Tamil Nadu.
In addition to interactions with leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Vijay is also scheduled to engage with senior Opposition leaders at 10 Janpath. Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge are expected to meet the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister during his stay in Delhi.
Ahead of the meeting, a poster featuring Rahul Gandhi and Vijay was reportedly seen outside the Congress leadership residence, sparking political discussions about possible future alignments and cooperation between opposition parties and regional forces.
Leaders from Left parties and the Indian Union Muslim League are also expected to call on Vijay at Tamil Nadu House as part of courtesy meetings during his Delhi visit. The outreach indicates Vijay’s attempt to maintain communication with leaders across ideological lines as he begins his tenure as Chief Minister.
Vijay recently became Chief Minister after successfully winning a trust vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on May 13. His party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections with 108 seats.
During the confidence motion, Vijay secured 144 votes in favour of his government. While the TVK and its allies together accounted for 119 MLAs, the final tally rose significantly after unexpected support from other legislators. Twenty-two MLAs voted against the motion, while five abstained.
In a major political surprise, expelled Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (AMMK) MLA Kamaraj supported the government during the trust vote. Additionally, reports indicated that 25 MLAs from the AIADMK crossed party lines and voted in favour of Vijay, further strengthening his position in the Assembly.
Vijay’s rapid political rise and his first high-profile engagements in Delhi have intensified national attention on Tamil Nadu politics. His meetings with both NDA and Opposition leaders are expected to play a crucial role in shaping his government’s political and administrative direction in the coming months.
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