It is learned that Lok Bhavan, the governor’s office in Tamil Nadu, is yet to send an invitation to Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam President C Joseph Vijay to form the government, as he is yet to receive a letter from one of the parties extending their support to TVK, as of 10.30 pm on Friday.
Surrounded by senior party functionaries, Vijay on Friday called on Governor Arlikar for the third time in a row, seeking to form the government after the Left parties, CPI and CPI(M), offered their “unconditional support”.
TVK emerged as the largest single party winning 108 seats. It received support from the Congress which has 5 MLAs under its box while two each were from the Left parties, CPI and CPI(M).
Extending their support to TVK, Communist Party of India (CPI) State Minister M Veerapandian and CPI(M) P Shanmugam spoke at a joint press conference in which they offered “unconditional support” from abroad. Shanmugam clarified that the Left parties will not seek a ministerial post.
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During this press conference, Veerapandian said Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavavalavan has gone on record that he will support any decision taken by the Left parties and will also offer two seats to TVK to expand his party’s support which will take the total number to 119.
After receiving the offer of support from the Left parties, TVK chief Vijay along with senior ruling party officials called Arlikar to seek his invitation to form the government.
The message from the VCK camp was not present in the memorandum submitted to the governor’s office which pegs the total number of TVK seats at 117, just below the 118 majority mark in the 234-seat Assembly segment, sources said.
TVK has a total of 108 seats, Congress has offered 5 seats and the two Left parties have 2 seats each for a total of 117 seats.
Since no letter has been received from the governor’s office, it is not clear whether Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony which was scheduled to take place on May 9 at 11 am will be held.
