CM Vijay Meets Amit Shah: NEET and Cauvery Issues Take Centrestage

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay held his first official meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss a range of pressing state issues. This meeting took place in New Delhi ahead of the South Zone Council huddle, signaling a critical attempt to align state priorities with central government policies. The discussions primarily focused on the timely release of central funds, which the Tamil Nadu government argues are essential for ongoing infrastructure and welfare projects. This interaction is seen as a pivotal moment for the new administration in Chennai to establish a working relationship with the Union Home Ministry.

Beyond financial matters, the Chief Minister raised significant concerns regarding the NEET medical entrance exam and the upcoming delimitation process. Tamil Nadu has long sought an exemption from NEET, citing its impact on rural students, and the CM used this meeting to reiterate the state's firm stance. Furthermore, the discussion touched upon the potential impact of delimitation on the political representation of southern states. Inter-state river-water disputes, particularly the long-standing Cauvery issue and the controversial Mekedatu project proposed by Karnataka, were also brought to the table for early resolution under central mediation.

The meeting has generated considerable interest across South India as other Chief Ministers also took up similar issues regarding tax sharing and river-water rights with the Home Minister. While Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar spoke about the Mekedatu project, CM Vijay remained notably focused on Tamil Nadu's specific demands for water security and central assistance. The outcome of these discussions will likely influence the agenda for the upcoming South Zone Council meeting, where regional cooperation on water and funds will be tested. The Tamil Nadu government is now awaiting a formal response regarding the acceleration of pending water-related settlements.