Chennai: Hours after TVK chief Vijay met the Tamil Nadu Governor for the third time and staked claim to form government, a series of developments once again plunged his prospects of being sworn in as chief minister on Saturday into uncertainty.
After letters of support from the two Left parties and VCK indicating support, Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar Friday. However, sources from Lok Bhavan said that TVK presented only 116 letters of support against the majority mark of 118.
In a major twist, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) which had earlier issued a statement that its two MLAs will support all functions of the government, clarified Friday night that it is not offering support to TVK and remains with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA).
Moreover, AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran said he has submitted a letter of support to the Governor urging him to invite AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami to form the government.
In a post on X, Dhinakaran wrote that he was “shocked” when he saw on TV that his party had supported Vijay.
“I am supporting AIADMK. I have submitted this letter in support of Edappadi Palaniswami to form the govt. Our MLA Kamaraj has also signed it and sent it through my secretary. When I saw TVK, I was shocked, because there was some other letter, maybe a forged letter, or it may be horse-trading,” he wrote on X.
Dhinakaran added: “I called up my MLA, but I was not able to reach him…He signed this letter around 6.30 pm and sent it here. When I saw on TV that our party had supported Vijay, I was shocked. So, I got an appointment with the Governor and I have submitted the letter to him, asking him to investigate that. I feel it is forged or horse trading…He should not allow this…”
An official statement on the Governor inviting Vijay to form the government in Tamil Nadu is awaited.
Earlier in the day, CPI(M) leader K. Balakrishnan in a statement to ANI said, “Tomorrow morning by 11 am, the swearing-in ceremony is going to take place. Invitation and other things will be sent before that. We have given the letter of support. He (TVK chief Vijay) went to the Governor and the Governor asked him to form the government. Immediately after that, he came to our office to convey his thanks for our support.”
Sources in the VCK had earlier said that the party has offered support to Vijay. CPI state secretary Veerapandian had also told ANI, “TVK is the single-largest party. It needs six MLAs to form the government. We have given 6 MLAs of CPI, CPI(M) and VCK. We have given our support; it is our democratic duty. This is a people’s democracy. We will stand with democracy, we will stand with people.”
The VCK, however, are yet to issue an official statement which is expected Saturday morning.
Vijay’s TVK has been working since the election results were announced to get the 11 seats he needs to add to his tally of 107 in the 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly.
While TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, it needs 118 seats required for a simple majority. Vijay, who won from two seats, will be resigning from one, bringing down the tally to 116.
The CPI and CPI(M) held meetings earlier Friday to decide on their position. In a statement after the meeting, the CPI stated, “Under the instructions of our Party Secretary, M. Veerapandian, I, T. Ramachandran, as the Leader of the Legislature Party of Communist Party of India, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, on behalf of our two Members of Legislative Assembly, do hereby convey our unconditional support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam under the leadership of its President and Legislative Party Leader, Mr C. Joseph Vijay, for the purpose of formation of the government in the state of Tamil Nadu.”
The party said that the support was extended in the interest of stable, secular and democratic governance for the people of Tamil Nadu.
Despite assuring support by Friday evening, VCK leader Sinthanai Selvan has criticised TVK’s handling of the post-poll situation. He said Vijay was misled about the situation since the party sent a letter via WhatsApp asking for support.
“In a scenario where the absolute majority is not available to form the government, TVK should have acted with extreme caution. Shouldn’t Vijay have immediately met in person the leaders of parties whose support he seeks? Shouldn’t he have openly discussed that he is not under the control of second-level leaders and the urgent need to prevent the BJP from entering Tamil Nadu through the Governor’s route?” he wrote on X.
Outgoing CM M. K. Stalin had earlier in the day asked Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar to take action and help in the formation of a new government in Tamil Nadu.
“In such a situation, it is not only the compulsion of the times but also the most important duty of democracy that a new government must be formed for the elected Members of the Legislative Assembly to take their oaths of office and to advance the welfare of the state. I request His Excellency the Governor to avoid any delay in the formation of the government,” he posted on X.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had also endorsed the views expressed by M. K. Stalin urging the governor to facilitate the swearing in of a new government.
The Governor had earlier declined to invite TVK to form the government citing the lack of a clear majority and asking the party to return with the requisite numbers. Congress cadres, led by TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai and others, staged protests against the Governor’s decision across the state.
This is a developing story.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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