CHENNAI: PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for infrastructure projects worth Rs 13,000 crore in Chennai Sunday, promising Centre's support for Tamil Nadu's growth, as CM C Joseph Vijay sought funds while navigating ties with BJP-led Union govt and ally Congress."We are taking Tamil Nadu's development journey forward with CM Vijay," Modi said at IIT Madras, adding that the projects spanning Chennai Metro, roads, railways & ports would generate direct and indirect jobs. "Let us create a developed India through a developed Tamil Nadu," he said.Modi recalled his association with former Tamil Nadu CMs M Karunanidhi, J Jayalalithaa, O Panneerselvam, Edappadi K Palaniswami and MK Stalin, saying his commitment to the state remained steadfast despite changes in govt.Vijay, who hosted MP Rahul Gandhi at his home less than 24 hours earlier, shared a Metro ride and stage with Modi, signalling his intent to maintain working ties with Centre while preserving TVK's partnership with Congress. They travelled on the first driverless metro train from Porur Bypass to Poonamallee Bypass and back.This marked the first time Modi and Vijay shared a stage and the CM's first meeting with Rahul since TVK joined INDIA bloc.
BJP spokesperson Narayanan Tirupathy welcomed Vijay's engagement with Modi. "He was very cordial with the PM. This is what people of Tamil Nadu want and this is what would help the state grow," Tirupathy said.Congress neta A Gopanna said the two meetings served different purposes. "Vijay met Rahul as a politician, whereas he met PM in his capacity as a CM," he said, adding that TVK shared an ideological bond with Congress.
Observers said Vijay would face the challenge of keeping both channels open without compromising TVK's interests or those of its allies.Modi said urbanisation was an opportunity, not a challenge, and highlighted the expansion of India's Metro network from 250km in 2014 to more than 1,100km, with services operating in 25 cities, up from five. He also referred to the proposed Rs 17,000-crore development of VO Chidambaranar Port in Tuticorin as a mega container & green energy hub.Vijay set a target of making Tamil Nadu a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036, promising a transparent, corruption-free govt and inclusive growth. "Strong states make a strong India," he said, calling for greater Centre-state coordination.He sought approval for Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project, Tamil as official language of Madras HC, and release of Rs 5,110 crore in pending Samagra Shiksha funds. He thanked Modi for announcing high-speed networks connecting Chennai with Hyderabad and Bengaluru in the Budget.
At the golden jubilee event of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School at Chennai Trade Centre, Modi urged students to dream big and act fearlessly. He cited India's ambitions of becoming one of the world's largest economies. "This is your time. This is your opportunity," he told students.