Vijay Stakes Claim To Form Tamil Nadu Government
TVK secures support of 118 MLAs as coalition talks near final stage
- Vijay claims majority before Tamil Nadu Governor
- TVK alliance reportedly reaches crucial 118-MLA mark
- Congress, CPI and CPM extend support to Vijay-led coalition
- Swearing-in ceremony likely at 11 AM on Saturday
GG News Bureau
Chennai, 8th May: Actor-turned-politician Vijay on Friday staked claim to form the next government in Tamil Nadu after reportedly securing the support of 118 MLAs, the exact number required for a majority in the 234-member Assembly.
Sources said the swearing-in ceremony is expected to be held at 11 AM on Saturday, indicating that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is set to lead the first coalition government in the state’s recent political history.
While several smaller parties have already extended support to the TVK, discussions continued with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi. Vijay was scheduled to meet VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan later in the day.
The Indian National Congress and Left parties have already offered conditional support to the TVK-led alliance.
Sources indicated that while the Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist) have decided to stay out of the cabinet, the Congress is expected to seek two ministerial berths in the new government.
CPI(M) state secretary T. T. Shanmugam said the Left parties decided to support TVK to prevent political instability and the possibility of Governor’s Rule in the state.
“In Tamil Nadu, Governor’s Rule is like the BJP entering through the back door. To stop this, CPI and CPI(M) have decided to support TVK,” Shanmugam told reporters.
The CPI and CPI(M), which have two MLAs each, were earlier allies of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Sources said DMK chief M. K. Stalin allowed the parties to independently decide their political course after the election outcome.
Apart from the Left parties and Congress, Vijay has also reportedly secured support from one MLA of the Indian Union Muslim League and the lone legislator of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam led by T. T. V. Dhinakaran.
The TVK emerged as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu elections with 108 seats, while the DMK was reduced to 59 seats and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam managed 47 seats.
