Modi-Vijay’s Chennai Visit: Development Projects, Gen-Z Outreach & BJP-Congress War Of Words

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Chennai visit brought development announcements, a joint public appearance with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, a metro ride and a political war of words. Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for projects worth over ₹13,000 crore, including the Poonamallee–Vadapalani stretch of Chennai Metro Phase II. The two leaders also visited the Jalakandeswarar Temple together. At Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya, Modi addressed students and spoke about the role of India’s youth. The visit came amid a political exchange over Tamil language and culture after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, speaking at his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Chennai, accused the Modi government of attacking Tamil Nadu’s language, history and culture. The BJP rejected Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, while the DMK also criticised the Hindi title of his student outreach programme. With development, language politics and competing national narratives converging in Chennai, the visit has added another chapter to Tamil Nadu’s evolving political contest.