Union Home Minister Amit Shah is chairing the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council, bringing together leaders from the five southern states to discuss interstate disputes, Centre-state relations and regional cooperation.

Ahead of the meeting, Amit Shah met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai. The meeting comes amid several contentious issues between southern states, including the Cauvery water-sharing dispute and the proposed Mekedatu dam project involving Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The Southern Zonal Council includes Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, along with the Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

Amit Shah Meets Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Ahead Of Southern Zonal Council Meet

Tamil Nadu’s investment plans have triggered a political confrontation between the ruling TVK government led by Chief Minister Vijay and the opposition DMK.

The TVK government says 97 MoUs were signed during the Vetri Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2026, with investment commitments from the first 100 days of the government expected to cross ₹1 lakh crore, potentially generating around 1.2 lakh jobs.

However, the DMK has questioned the claims, arguing that a significant portion of the projects were initiated or finalised during its previous tenure. Former Industries Minister TRB Rajaa also questioned the uncertainty surrounding key infrastructure projects, particularly the proposed Parandur airport and Hosur airport.

The opposition argues that major infrastructure projects are crucial for attracting new investments to Tamil Nadu and has questioned the TVK government's position on their status.

DMK Targets Vijay-Led TVK Government Over Investment Claims | Questions Raised On ₹1 Lakh Crore MoUs

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a resolution opposing delimitation, urging the Union government to permanently retain the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats based on the population figures of the 1971 Census.

The resolution, moved by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, received support from the DMK, despite the party previously skipping Vijay’s all-party meeting on delimitation.

Vijay also called for the immediate implementation of 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, arguing that the quota should be calculated on the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats.

The Tamil Nadu government has also taken strong positions on several other issues, including NEET, the proposed FCRA amendments, and the state’s anti-drug campaign.

Vijay Leads Tamil Nadu’s Delimitation Push | Assembly Seeks 543 Lok Sabha Seats