Tamil Nadu’s post-poll political drama took a late-night twist on Friday as TVK chief Vijay appeared set to take oath as the Chief Minister on Saturday, only for last-minute uncertainty over a crucial support letter from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), forcing Governor Rajendra Arlekar to delay the official swearing-in announcement.
Sources at Lok Bhavan told India Today TV that Arlekar is still awaiting a formal letter of support from the VCK, even as Vijay met him on Friday evening and submitted signatures from 116 MLAs, two short of the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly. Earlier, Vijay was set to be sworn in at 11 am on Saturday after reports emerged that the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had backed TVK, giving the alliance a total number of 120, two above the 118-majority mark.
But in another dramatic twist, the IUML, which was earlier reported to have extended unconditional support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), denied backing the Vijay-led party and asserted that it would remain with the DMK.
Sources said TVK leaders have been trying for the past two hours to contact VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan, who is currently untraceable. Raj Bhavan sources indicated that the Governor’s office is likely to announce the oath-taking ceremony only after receiving the VCK’s formal support letter. The party will take a decision on backing TVK on Saturday, sources said.
The fast-paced developments followed as Vijay made his third visit to the Governor in three days after he was asked to show proof of majority during his previous two trips to the Lok Bhavan. It came after swift post-poll backing from the Congress, Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist). Notably, the VCK, CPI and CPI(M) were previously allies of the DMK.
The delay in swearing-in also came amid last-minute negotiations, with sources indicating that the VCK has sought the Deputy Chief Minister’s post for Thirumavalavan. TVK, however, is understood to have offered the Urban Affairs portfolio instead as part of ongoing talks.
TVK earlier secured backing from Congress’s five legislators, along with two MLAs each from CPI and CPI(M). The CPI(M) also submitted an unconditional letter of support, calling the move necessary to ensure stability and respect the electoral mandate.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Arlekar had declined to invite Vijay to form the government, citing lack of majority, triggering protests and sharp criticism from Opposition parties, who accused the Centre of attempting to delay government formation.
AMMK CHIEF MEETS GOVERNOR
In a parallel political move, AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran met Governor Arlekar and extended support from his party’s lone MLA to AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, saying that AIADMK instead, should be invited to form the government.
There is a growing buzz that the AIADMK and DMK – the two Dravidian majors – are holding backchannel talks and may forge a tie-up in a bid to prevent Vijay from assuming power. The AIADMK and DMK have 47 and 59 seats, respectively. Even if the DMK and AIADMK form the government with the help of AMMK, BJP and PMK; (all allies of AIADMK) and IUML and DMDK (allies of DMK), they will have only 115 MLAs.
Vijay led the TVK to a stunning debut performance in the Assembly polls, winning 108 seats but falling short of the majority mark in the 234-member House. The actor-politician won from Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East seats and is expected to vacate any one of these constituencies per Election Commission rule.
The hung verdict on May 4 triggered hectic negotiations for TVK, with the Congress extending support to the Vijay-led party. The Congress’s move sparked a major fallout with the DMK. Senior DMK leaders reacted sharply to the Congress move, with some declaring that the INDIA bloc had effectively collapsed following the post-poll developments in Tamil Nadu.
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