Following the inauguration, Vijay and Modi also took a metro ride together, highlighting the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief’s political balancing act, particularly after his recent meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over lunch and coffee in Chennai.

After the inauguration, Modi took to X to highlight the benefits of the newly opened stretch.

“Inauguration of the Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch of Chennai Metro Phase-2 ensures: Faster, more convenient daily travel for commuters,” the Prime Minister wrote.

He added that the stretch would improve connectivity between Chennai’s fast-growing western suburbs and the city centre, while featuring a unique 3.7-km double-decker corridor.

Vijay had met Rahul Gandhi over lunch on Saturday at his residence in Neelankarai, Chennai.

Narendra Modi is inaugurating a stretch of Chennai Metro's stretch. Photo: Narendra Modi/X

The two leaders reportedly discussed the political situation and the alliance’s future plans during a meeting that lasted around an hour, The News Minute reported.

According to reports, Vijay and Rahul later visited a café after their lunch meeting.

The meeting took place on a day when demonstrations were held in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Several political leaders, including former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, were detained during the protests.

Meanwhile, Vijay’s TVK retained the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies in the by-elections, according to the report, adding to the political significance of a week marked by the actor-turned-politician’s engagements with leaders across the political spectrum.