Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay attended the Vijayawada Festival 2.0 on Tuesday alongside Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The event took place at Punnami Ghat along the Krishna River, drawing significant public attention.
Festival Highlights
Vijay delivered a brief speech in Telugu at the festival, which was warmly received by the crowd. He expressed his happiness at joining the Navaratri celebrations and conveyed his good wishes to all present. The festival showcased traditional dances and cultural programs that both leaders enjoyed.
After arriving from Chennai, Vijay first visited the Kanaka Durga temple to offer prayers. He also thanked the local people for their hospitality during the event. His visit to Vijayawada was primarily to discuss water supply from the Krishna River to Chennai and explore river linking projects with Naidu.
Discussion on River Linking
Vijay emphasized the importance of the river linking initiative during his discussions with Naidu. Both leaders highlighted the benefits of connecting rivers like Penna, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery to boost development across multiple states. This would particularly aid Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka.
Naidu praised Vijay’s rapid rise to Chief Minister within just two years of founding his party. He expressed confidence in the youth’s potential to achieve great things and stressed the shared goal of prosperity for all states despite regional differences.
Speaking at the event, Naidu congratulated the organizers of Vijayawada Festival 2.0 and remarked on the enthusiastic atmosphere throughout the city. He also noted that this was Vijay’s first official visit to Vijayawada as Chief Minister, suggesting a favorable omen.
The festival was initiated by Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinivas (Chinni) to promote the city’s rich culture, hospitality, traditions, and spiritual heritage on a national platform. It serves as a celebration of local identity and unity.
Naidu expressed optimism about the region’s future development, stating that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, connecting these rivers will become a reality. He foresees India becoming the world’s leading country by 2047 as infrastructural projects like river linking progress.
