Actor ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay secured majority mark of 118 to form government in Tamil Nadu after support extended by VCK, CPI(M) and CPI to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
A formal announcement supporting TVK is expected at a joint press conference in Chennai later on Friday evening, which could pave the way for the formation of the government. Follow live updates on Tamil Nadu government formation here
Explaining the decision to extend support to TVK, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby told HT that these parties do not want President’s rule in Tamil Nadu. They also claimed that in 1998 Atal Bihari Vajpayee was given a chance to prove his majority even if he was the largest party alone.
The breakthrough brings an end to the three-day struggle to secure the magic number, which the new TVK club failed to achieve by just 10 seats in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu state elections in which it won 108 seats.
The Tamil Star Party, which was founded two years ago, enjoys the support of Congress, which won five seats, bringing its number of seats to 113 out of 234 members in the Council.
The Communist Party of India (CPI), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM) each won two seats in the elections and their support will take the tally to 119 seats.
Vijay journeys to Lok Bhavan
Amid the uncertainty, Vijay made two failed trips to the Governor’s House or Lok Bhavan this week. Rajendra Vishwanath met Arlikar for the second day in a row on Thursday as the constitutional question of who should be invited to form the government moved to center stage.
According to people familiar with the matter, the governor asked TVK to show support from at least 118 MLAs before extending the call to form the government. Lok Bhavan has also reportedly sought clarification on additional parties willing to support Vijay.
Things became more crucial for TVK after speculation emerged that arch-rivals AIADMK and DMK were also considering an alliance to form a government in Tamil Nadu – reports which party leaders later dismissed as rumours.
DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Thursday evening denied the possibility of the two parties coming together, but added that the decision rests with the party president, MK Stalin. If Stalin takes such a decision (to support the AIADMK), the DMK will accept it. He added that so far this decision has not been taken, adding: “The leader’s decision is our decision.”
