There are indications in Tamil Nadu that the DMK and AIADMK – which are arch rivals in Dravidian politics – may join hands to stop TVK leader Vijay. Vijay is struggling to reach the “magic figure” required for majority in the Assembly. Throughout the day, talks of “talks” between the two parties dominated the political circles of the state. Amidst this speculation – and after getting the support of the Congress party – Vijay met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Wednesday and staked claim to form the government in the state. However, they have not received any signal from Raj Bhavan yet. Governor Arlekar doubts Vijay’s claim that he has the majority. As a result, it seems unlikely that the swearing-in of the new government will take place on May 7.
AIADMK MLAs reach Puducherry resort
Amid the political turmoil, newly elected AIADMK MLAs were taken to a resort in Puducherry. The exact number of MLAs taken to Puducherry has not been disclosed. Just hours after the Congress party announced its alliance with TVK, reports of talks between the two Dravidian parties emerged. However, both AIADMK and DMK refused to comment on the matter.
What did DMK say?
Angered by the Congress party’s decision to support TVK, the DMK described the move as a “stab in the back”. DMK termed the Congress party’s decision to join hands with TVK as a betrayal. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said that the Congress party has betrayed the people of Tamil Nadu and their electoral mandate. He said that the Congress had decided to change the alliance even before the ink of the returning officer’s signature on the victory certificates dried. Annadurai further said that TVK did not have the required number of people to form the government. Senior DMK leader T.R. Baalu alleged that the Congress party, by joining hands with the TVK, had betrayed the voters who had voted with the confidence that a DMK-led government would be formed. Congress’s letter promising support to TVK shows its “true colours” – a truth it had been trying to hide for some time.
Governor has not taken any decision on TVK
Meanwhile, TVK founder Vijay held a meeting with Congress leaders and then met the Governor at Lok Bhawan at 3:15 pm. Vijay also handed over the list of Congress MLAs to the Governor. Sources in Lok Bhavan said that no formal decision has been taken yet regarding inviting Vijay to form the government or holding the swearing-in ceremony. This indicates that Governor Arlekar is not completely convinced by Vijay’s claim that he has the majority. The Governor insisted that Vijay should prove his majority before being invited to form the government.
Congress targeted BJP
Criticizing the delay in formation of the TVK-led government, Congress Lok Sabha MP Jothimani insisted that the Assembly was the right place to prove majority; There is no need to show it in Lok Bhavan. He demanded that BJP immediately stop doing politics through Lok Bhavan and urged the Governor to invite Vijay to form the government without any delay.
TVK needs support of five more MLAs
In the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, TVK emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 seats. Since Vijay was elected from two constituencies, TVK’s effective strength in the assembly is 107 members. As a result, the number required for majority in the Assembly remains only 117. After the announcement of support by Congress (which has five seats), Vijay now needs the support of five more MLAs to form the government.
TVK sources have indicated that the party is trying to get support from the constituent parties of the DMK-led alliance – i.e. VCK, Left parties and IUML. However, none of these parties have shown any willingness to join hands with TVK, casting a cloud of uncertainty over TVK’s chances of forming a government in the near future.
AIADMK announcement: We will not support TVK
On Wednesday, AIADMK made it clear that it would not support TVK to form the government. The party said that to date, it has not supported TVK under any circumstances. There were reports in some sections of the media that elected AIADMK MLAs had voted in favor of forming an alliance with the TVK; However, AIADMK Deputy General Secretary KP Munusamy dismissed these reports as completely baseless. He reiterated that AIADMK will not support TVK under any circumstances. AIADMK won 47 seats in the assembly elections.
Position of parties in the Assembly:
TVK – 108
DMK – 59
AIADMK – 47
Congress – 5
PMK-4
IUML – 2
CPI(M) – 2
VCK-2
BJP – 1
DMDK – 1
AMMK – 1
