- Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay is expected to attend the November 16 launch of Belonging: A Journey of Love in Delhi.
- Vijay’s visit comes amid Tamil Nadu’s opposition to Karnataka’s proposed dam project across the Cauvery river.
- A meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being speculated, but no official confirmation was available by November 15.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay is expected to travel to New Delhi on Monday to attend the formal launch of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love.
According to Congress sources, Vijay is likely to participate in the November 16 event, which is expected to bring together several senior Congress leaders and political representatives.
His proposed visit has attracted attention not only because of the book launch but also due to the ongoing dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the proposed Mekedatu dam project across the Cauvery river.
Sonia Gandhi’s Memoir Launch on November 16
Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, titled Belonging: A Journey of Love, was released for sale across India on November 10. The formal launch ceremony is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on November 16.
Several prominent Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, are expected to attend the programme.
Vijay’s participation is expected to provide an opportunity for another interaction with Sonia Gandhi. He had earlier met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during his Delhi visit in June after assuming office as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore has also confirmed Vijay’s participation in the event, according to reports.
Mekedatu Dam Dispute Adds Political Significance
Vijay’s proposed Delhi visit comes at a time when Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are engaged in a renewed political dispute over the Mekedatu dam project.
Karnataka has been pushing for the proposed reservoir project across the Cauvery river, arguing that it would help meet Bengaluru’s drinking water requirements and generate electricity.
However, Tamil Nadu has strongly opposed the project, expressing concerns about its possible impact on downstream water availability and the interests of farmers dependent on the Cauvery.
Vijay had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 7, urging the Centre not to grant approval to the project without considering the concerns of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala.
A possible meeting with the Prime Minister during his Delhi visit has therefore become a subject of political speculation. However, no official confirmation of such a meeting was available as of November 15.
DMK Demands All-Party Delegation to Meet PM Modi
The main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has also raised the Mekedatu issue and demanded that the Tamil Nadu government send a delegation of MPs and MLAs to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The demand followed an all-party meeting held in Chennai to discuss Karnataka’s proposed dam project and the state’s opposition to it.
The issue has placed Congress in a politically sensitive position because the party leads the government in Karnataka while receiving political support from the Congress in Tamil Nadu.
Vijay’s Earlier Visits to Delhi
The November 16 trip would be Vijay’s third visit to the national capital since becoming Chief Minister.
During his earlier visit in June, he attended a NITI Aayog meeting and met President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
His latest visit is expected to be closely watched for possible political discussions, particularly regarding the Cauvery water dispute and the Mekedatu project.
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