Staff Reporter
Political uncertainty in Tamil Nadu appeared to end on Friday after the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, the Left parties and the Indian Union Muslim League formally extended support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, enabling the party to cross the majority mark in the newly elected Assembly.
With letters of support in hand, Vijay met Governor Vishwanath Rajendra Arlekar for the third time and staked claim to form the government. Sources indicated that the Governor is now expected to invite the TVK chief to form the next government, with the swearing-in ceremony likely to take place on Saturday morning.
The development comes after days of political suspense following the fractured mandate in the 234-member Assembly election. The TVK had emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats, falling short of the 118 required for a simple majority. The Congress, which contested as part of the DMK-led alliance, had earlier announced support to the TVK shortly after the results were declared on May 4.
The addition of support from the VCK, CPI, CPI(M) and IUML — each with two MLAs — has now pushed Vijay comfortably past the halfway mark, strengthening his claim to power.
The Governor had earlier declined to immediately invite the TVK to form the government, citing the need for proof of majority support to ensure stability. The stand taken by the Raj Bhavan had triggered criticism from several opposition parties and constitutional experts, who argued that the single largest party should have been given the first opportunity to prove its majority on the Assembly floor.
The latest political realignment has also fuelled speculation about intense behind-the-scenes efforts by the defeated Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam to prevent Vijay from assuming office.
Celebrations erupted at the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur and in several parts of the state as party workers burst crackers, distributed sweets and danced to drum beats after news of the support became public.
The Left parties clarified that their support to the TVK was aimed at preventing any “backdoor entry” of the BJP into the state’s political framework, including through the possibility of President’s Rule. Both the CPI and CPI(M) said they would support the government from outside and would not join the ministry.
Political attention has now shifted to the possible role of VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan in the new dispensation. Sources in Chennai indicated that Vijay has invited Thirumavalavan to join the Cabinet and discussions are underway over the possibility of him taking over as Deputy Chief Minister after resigning from the Lok Sabha.
Soon after staking claim to form the government, Vijay visited the offices of the CPI and CPI(M) to thank the Left parties personally for their support. At the CPI office, he paid floral tributes to veteran communist leader R. Nallakannu. He is also expected to meet leaders of the IUML and VCK.
Meanwhile, M. K. Stalin urged the Governor to ensure that the process of government formation is completed without further delay, saying the state required an elected government at the earliest after dissolution of the previous Assembly.
Political observers say Vijay’s rapid rise marks one of the most dramatic electoral breakthroughs in recent Tamil Nadu politics, ending decades of dominance by the DMK-AIADMK combine and potentially reshaping the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.