Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday brought several key southern leaders together at the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Tamil Nadu, with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu among those attending.
The meeting was held at the Taj Fisherman’s Cove hotel in Kovalam, Chengalpattu district, and was hosted by the Tamil Nadu government. Chief ministers and senior representatives from southern states and Union Territories participated in the meeting, according to news agency ANI.
The gathering comes as the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government under Vijay continues to establish itself in Tamil Nadu.
Who attended the Southern Zonal Council meeting?
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 is the chairman of the council, while Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is currently its vice-chairman.
The vice-chairman position is held by the chief ministers of member states on a rotational basis, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The meeting provides a platform for the Centre and southern states to discuss issues affecting the region and explore ways to improve coordination.
What does the Southern Zonal Council do?
Zonal Councils are advisory bodies designed to facilitate discussions between the Centre, states and Union Territories on issues of common interest.
They can take up matters involving disputes between the Centre and states, disagreements between member states and Union Territories, as well as broader regional concerns.
According to the government, 69 meetings of various Zonal Councils and their Standing Committees have been held since June 2014, involving state governments, Central ministries and departments.
The councils are intended to strengthen cooperative federalism by providing a forum where governments can raise concerns and work towards mutually acceptable solutions.
Amit Shah meets Vijay ahead of council meet
Ahead of the Southern Zonal Council meeting, Shah met Tamil Nadu CM Vijay in Chennai.
“Met Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai, ahead of the 31st Meeting of the Southern Zonal Council,” Shah said in a post on X.
The meeting between Shah and Vijay comes shortly after the Tamil Nadu chief minister completed his first 100 days in office. Vijay has since announced a series of welfare and administrative measures while also engaging in political confrontations with the opposition DMK.
Shah to visit Mamallapuram
Following the council meeting, Amit Shah is scheduled to visit the ancient Shore Temple complex at Mamallapuram.
Mamallapuram, also known as Mahabalipuram, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Pallava-era monuments and rock-cut architecture.
According to the Archaeological Survey of India, the ancient port city was known as a seaport during the periods described by the Periplus and Ptolemy, with evidence of architectural activity dating back to the reign of Mahendravarman I.
The visit adds a cultural and heritage component to Shah’s Tamil Nadu programme on Thursday.
