Tamil Nadu CM Vijay raises Mekedatu, state anthem issues in meeting with PM Modi
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Saturday during his first official visit to the national capital since assuming office earlier this month.
During the 20-minute meeting, Vijay raised several issues concerning Tamil Nadu, including the Mekedatu dam project, permission for the state anthem at government events, and a proposal related to a DRDO facility.
The chief minister thanked the prime minister for facilitating the return of ancient copper plates from Holland to India.
Vijay also discussed Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project on the Cauvery river, expressing concern that it could reduce downstream water availability for Tamil Nadu.
He told the prime minister that any unilateral move by Karnataka to construct the dam would violate the spirit of the Cauvery Water Tribunal award and Supreme Court rulings on water sharing.
Since the project requires clearance from the Union government, Vijay requested that the Jal Shakti Ministry not grant approval for the dam.
The issue gained renewed attention after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the state would soon submit a revised detailed project report for the Mekedatu project and move forward with the process.
Vijay also urged the Centre to allow the Tamil Nadu state anthem, Tamil Thai Vazhthu, to be played at the beginning of government programmes.
The request comes after the Union Home Ministry issued an order in January stating that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung first when performed alongside the national anthem.
The chief minister additionally requested the establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Centre for Airborne Systems in Tamil Nadu.
Vijay, who heads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, became chief minister after winning a trust vote on May 13 with support from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML legislators. His party emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats in the assembly elections.