Amit Shah Holds Talks With Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Ahead of Southern Zonal Council Meet

Chennai, August 20, 2026; Union Home Minister Amit Shah met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai on Thursday, ahead of the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council scheduled to be held later in the day.

Shah, who heads the Southern Zonal Council, held discussions with Vijay, who serves as its Vice-Chairman. The meeting comes as chief ministers and senior representatives from southern states are set to gather for deliberations on issues of common regional interest.

Sharing details of his meeting, Shah said he met the Tamil Nadu chief minister before the upcoming session of the Southern Zonal Council.

The meeting assumes significance as the council provides a platform for states in the southern region to discuss matters involving inter-state coordination, development and other issues requiring collective attention.

The Southern Zonal Council is among the five Zonal Councils constituted under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. These councils were created to strengthen cooperation among neighbouring states and facilitate discussions on issues affecting multiple states.

The 31st meeting is expected to bring together representatives from the southern states for discussions on regional priorities and matters requiring coordination between the Centre and state governments.

Shah’s meeting with Vijay ahead of the council session also marks an important interaction between the Union government and the Tamil Nadu administration before the wider deliberations involving other southern states.