Vijay crosses majority mark with Congress-left support, set to form Tamil Nadu govt
Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), crossed the required majority threshold of 118 seats in the 234-member assembly.
Actor Vijay, popularly known as "Thalapathy", is set to form the next government in Tamil Nadu after his party secured the majority mark in the state assembly with support from Congress and left-backed allies.
Vijay's party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), crossed the required majority threshold of 118 seats in the 234-member assembly after receiving support from the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M).
A formal announcement backing TVK was expected at a joint press conference in Chennai later on Friday (8 May), potentially clearing the way for government formation.
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TVK, contesting its first election since being launched two years ago, emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 seats in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu assembly polls, falling just 10 seats short of a majority.
The Congress party, which secured five seats, had already extended support to TVK, taking the alliance tally to 113.
The CPI, CPI(M), and VCK won two seats each, pushing the combined strength of the alliance to 119 seats — one above the majority mark.
Explaining the decision to support TVK, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby said the parties wanted to avoid the imposition of President's Rule in Tamil Nadu.
He also cited the example of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was invited to prove his majority in parliament in 1998 as the leader of the single-largest party.
Vijay's 2 trips to Lok Bhavan
Amid the uncertainty, Vijay had two unsuccessful trips to the governor's house or Lok Bhavan this week. He met Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for the second consecutive day on Thursday as the constitutional question over who should be invited to form the government moved to centre stage.
According to people aware of the matter, the governor asked TVK to demonstrate support from at least 118 MLAs before an invitation to form the government can be extended. Lok Bhavan also reportedly sought clarity on whether any additional parties were willing to back Vijay.
Things turned even more critical for the TVK after speculation floated that arch rivals AIADMK and DMK are also considering an alliance to form a government in Tamil Nadu – reports denied by party leaders later as rumours.
DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan last night denied the possibility of the two parties coming together but added that the decision rests with party chief, MK Stalin. If Stalin takes such a decision (To support AIADMK), DMK will accept it. But so far that decision has not been taken, he said, adding: "The leader's decision is our decision".
