New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday held his first official meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after assuming office, using the opportunity to raise key concerns related to the proposed Mekedatu dam project and recent debates surrounding Tamil Thai Vazhthu.
The meeting, held in New Delhi, was described by officials as cordial but politically significant, as Vijay placed before the Prime Minister issues that have become highly sensitive in Tamil Nadu. The discussions mainly focused on the long standing Cauvery river water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and the growing concerns over the proposed Mekedatu reservoir project in Karnataka.
During the meeting, Vijay urged Prime Minister Modi to prevent Karnataka from moving ahead with the Mekedatu dam project, arguing that it could affect the flow of Cauvery water reaching Tamil Nadu. He reportedly told the Prime Minister that farmers in the Cauvery delta region were deeply worried about the future availability of water if the project receives approval.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Vijay stressed that Karnataka should not be allowed to undertake any new construction across the Cauvery river without the consent of downstream states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. He also requested the Centre not to grant environmental or technical clearances to the project.
The Mekedatu project has remained one of the most controversial interstate water issues in southern India. Karnataka has maintained that the proposed balancing reservoir is intended mainly to supply drinking water to Bengaluru and nearby areas and would not reduce Tamil Nadu’s share of water. However, Tamil Nadu leaders across party lines have consistently opposed the project, fearing that it could reduce water flow during crucial agricultural seasons.
The issue gained fresh attention after recent legal developments appeared to favour Karnataka’s efforts to move forward with the project. Karnataka leaders have indicated that they are preparing to seek further approvals from the Centre after progress in court proceedings related to the matter.
During his meeting with the Prime Minister, Vijay also reportedly discussed concerns surrounding Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the Tamil invocation song that recently became the centre of political debate in the state. He is said to have sought clarity from the Centre regarding its position on matters related to language, cultural identity and official protocol.
Political observers described the meeting as important because it marked Vijay’s first direct interaction with Prime Minister Modi after becoming Chief Minister. Many see the discussions as an indication that Vijay intends to take a firm stand on issues connected to Tamil Nadu’s rights, water security and cultural identity.
Sources said Prime Minister Modi listened carefully to the concerns raised by Vijay and assured him that the Centre would examine the issues according to constitutional and legal procedures. No official announcement was made regarding any immediate decision on the Mekedatu project.
The meeting has already drawn reactions from political parties in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Farmer groups in Tamil Nadu welcomed Vijay’s intervention and said the state government must continue protecting the interests of delta farmers. Meanwhile, leaders in Karnataka reiterated that the Mekedatu project is essential for addressing Bengaluru’s future drinking water needs.
Experts believe the Cauvery dispute is likely to remain a politically sensitive issue in the coming months, especially if the Centre begins processing further approvals linked to the project. Water sharing between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka has historically triggered strong emotional and political responses in both states, particularly during years of weak rainfall.
Vijay’s first meeting with Prime Minister Modi has therefore become more than a routine political interaction, with many viewing it as the beginning of a new phase in Tamil Nadu’s engagement with the Centre on major interstate and cultural issues.