Union Home Minister Amit Shah, centre, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, left, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, right, during the 31st Meeting of the Southern Zonal Council (SZC) at Mahabalipuram, in Chengalpattu district (Img: Pinterest)
Chennai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah brought together several prominent leaders from South India at the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Tamil Nadu on Thursday.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were among the key leaders who attended the meeting held in Mahabalipuram.
The meeting focused on strengthening coordination between the Centre, states and Union Territories, along with discussions on regional issues and matters of common interest.
Before the Southern Zonal Council meeting, Amit Shah held a meeting with Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay in Chennai.
Shah shared details of the interaction on social media, saying he met Vijay ahead of the important council meeting.
The presence of Vijay, who has recently emerged as a major political figure in Tamil Nadu, alongside leaders like Chandrababu Naidu and DK Shivakumar, attracted attention in political circles.
The Southern Zonal Council includes Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
The council works as a platform where the Centre and states discuss issues related to development, governance, inter-state coordination and regional challenges.
Amit Shah serves as the chairman of the council, while the vice-chairman position is held by chief ministers of member states on a rotational basis. Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay is the current Vice-Chairman.
The gathering of leaders from different political parties on one platform comes at a time when political activity in southern states remains intense.
The meeting highlighted cooperation between the Centre and southern states, while the participation of Vijay, Naidu and Shivakumar made it a significant political event.
