NEW DELHI: The single-largest party, yet still short of the Chennai throne. Mega movie star Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as a formidable force in Tamil Nadu, disrupting the decades-long dominance of the DMK and AIADMK with a sweeping cinematic wave. However, the road to power remains uncertain, as the party fell short of proving a clear majority before governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.“Thalapathy” Vijay’s TVK, which outperformed both the DMK and AIADMK, won 108 seats in the 234-member assembly to emerge as the strongest. Yet, the party remained 10 seats short of the majority mark of 118, leaving government formation hanging in balance.
The disruption has reshaped Tamil Nadu’s traditional political field, even triggering an unlikely thaw between arch-rivals DMK and AIADMK. Meanwhile, sources said TVK boss Vijay is considering a mass resignation of all 108 party MLAs if either the DMK or AIADMK attempts to form the government.
Govt seeks proof of majority from Vijay
Tamil Nadu governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday invited Vijay to Lok Bhavan and told him that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly, essential for forming the government, had not yet been established.Also read | Over 100 DMK regime law officers resign amid uncertainty over TVK forming govtAccording to ANI sources, the governor sought clarity on the “magic number” required for government formation and asked Vijay to furnish details of legislators backing Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu.
TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Assembly with 108 seats, while the DMK secured 59 and the AIADMK won 47. With Congress firmly backing TVK with its five MLAs, the alliance’s tally stands at 113. However, Vijay is expected to vacate one of the two seats he won, reducing TVK’s effective strength to 107 and the alliance total to 112, still five short of the majority mark of 118.The governor’s refusal to immediately invite Vijay to form the government has triggered sharp criticism from TVK leaders and allies, many of whom accused him of acting under pressure from the BJP-led Union government to stall the constitutional process.Several parties have demanded that the Governor invite Vijay to form the government and allow him to prove his majority through a floor test in the assembly.
Arch-rivals move closer amid TVK surge
The DMK and AIADMK have found newborn camaraderie between them as a strong counter to influential TVK.The unthinkable suddenly seemed possible in Tamil Nadu politics. In a dramatic twist to the post-poll power struggle, caretaker chief minister MK Stalin reportedly informed DMK MLAs that arch-rival AIADMK had reached out seeking support to form the government and block Vijay from ascending to the chief minister’s chair.Multiple sources told TOI that the legislators left the final decision in Stalin’s hands. Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is learnt to have sought an appointment with governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Friday.Watch live updates here Hours before the high-stakes DMK meeting, Stalin was locked in discussions with leaders of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, CPI and CPM, parties whose combined six MLAs could become crucial in the numbers game. Sources said the prospect of AIADMK outreach and possible realignments also surfaced during the talks, with allies expected to reveal their stand on Friday.
Allies slam governor, back floor test for Vijay
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan and leaders of Left parties criticised governor Arlekar for not inviting Vijay to form the government, accusing the BJP-led Union government of attempting to “complicate Tamil Nadu politics and Vijay’s position”.Addressing the media on Thursday, Thirumavalavan said that as per constitutional provisions, the governor should immediately invite Vijay to form the government. “If he fails to do so, it would mean the governor is deliberately trying to complicate and muddy the prevailing political situation in the state,’’ he said.Thirumavalavan, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian and CPM state secretary P Shanmugam later met Stalin at his residence to discuss the post-poll scenario.“We discussed the outcome of the elections. We also spoke in detail about the prevailing political scenario,” said Thirumavalavan, noting that discussions continued regarding TVK leader Vijay’s invitation to VCK and other parties.He added, “We have received communication expressing their wish to form the govt along with VCK. He (Vijay) has also spoken to me. We are considering that. But we have to see many other factors before arriving at a decision. We cannot rush as the party has certain procedures,” he said.“TVK has emerged as the single largest party in the poll. So, the governor must give adequate time to TVK to prove its majority on the floor of the House,” said Veerapandian. Shanmugam echoed the same view.Durai Vaiko also criticised the Governor, saying that delaying or attempting to block Vijay from assuming office was unconstitutional and against the people’s mandate.
