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TVK chief Vijay meets governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, stakes claim to form state government. (ANI screengrab)
VCK and Left party leaders on Thursday called on outgoing Chief Minister M K Stalin amidst Vijay-led TVK’s request for support in government formation. The three allies of the DMK would meet separately on Friday to decide on the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s request, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said emerging from his meeting with DMK president Stalin at his Alwarpet residence.
The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee on Thursday slammed Governor Rajendra Arlekar, saying that the governments are not decided on the lawns of Lok Bhavan, but on the floor of the House. In an open letter, party MLA Se. Rajeshkumar, defending the decision of the Congress to support TVK, wrote: “Considering the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu and the state’s peace, it is imperative to isolate communal forces. This support decision has been taken keeping such a political situation in mind.” Vijay met the Governor at Lok Bhavan early on Thursday.
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Arlekar’s insistence has derailed TVK’s plan of a quick swearing-in ceremony on Thursday or Friday, where Vijay and three or four senior colleagues would take oath before seeking two weeks to prove majority on the Assembly floor. TVK has emerged as the single largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly with 108 seats, falling 10 short of the majority mark. The Congress on Wednesday extended full support to TVK for forming the new government in the state, breaking its long-standing alliance with the DMK in Tamil Nadu. However, that is not enough to form the government as the Congress has only 5 MLAs.
Resort strategy: Meanwhile, TVK has moved its MLAs to a private luxury resort in Mamallapuram as it steps up efforts to secure the numbers. More than 50 legislators are currently housed at a hotel in Poonjeri, with others expected to arrive, even as security has been tightened. Congress leaders, including TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai, also held detailed discussions, while senior leader KC Venugopal confirmed that Vijay had reached out for support, marking a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.
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