R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MAY 6
In a defining political moment, C. Joseph Vijay on Wednesday formally staked claim to form the next government in Tamil Nadu, setting off a high-voltage phase of negotiations after his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single-largest party in the Assembly.
- TVK chief meets Governor, seeks mandate after historic debut as single-largest party
- 108 seats in hand, 10 short of majority; numbers game intensifies across camps
- Congress backs ‘secular mandate’; Left, IUML hold ground with DMK, VCK undecided
- AIADMK in churn, pressure mounts on EPS to recalibrate strategy amid backchannel talks
- Governor grants 48 hours to prove majority; swearing-in buzz builds for May 7
- Post-poll flux reshapes Tamil Nadu politics as alliances shift and stakes soar
Vijay called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan, accompanied by senior leaders, including ‘Bussy’ Anand, K.A. Sengottaiyan, Aadhav Arjuna, and Arun Raj, amid intense political speculation over government formation.
In a crucial development, the Governor has granted TVK 48 hours to prove its majority in the Assembly—setting the stage for a high-stakes floor test. The move came after Vijay submitted a formal letter seeking an invitation to form the government and assured that the party would demonstrate its strength within the stipulated time.
While Vijay is likely to be sworn in as Chief Minister on May 7, the numbers remain tight. TVK’s remarkable debut—winning 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly—leaves it 10 short of the majority mark of 118, making alliance support crucial. Vijay was unanimously elected leader of the TVK legislature party on Tuesday, paving the way for his formal claim.
Alliance Arithmetic in Overdrive
Political activity has intensified across Chennai, with parties recalibrating strategies in the wake of the fractured mandate. The Indian National Congress has already extended support to TVK, but other potential allies remain divided.
Vijay has reached out to DMK allies including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), and Indian Union Muslim League. However, only Congress—with five MLAs—has publicly backed TVK so far.
The IUML has reiterated its commitment to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, while CPI and CPI(M) have ruled out support to TVK. Leaders from IUML, CPI, and CPI(M)—including Syed Farooq Basha SSB, A.M. Shahjahan, R. Chellaswamy, Latha, T. Ramachandra, and Marimuthu—met DMK chief M. K. Stalin at Anna Arivalayam and affirmed they would continue in the DMK alliance.
The VCK, which holds two seats, is yet to take a final call, with party chief Thol. Thirumavalavan expected to decide soon.
Senior Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said: “There were voices within the party that mooted an alliance with TVK before the elections. There is no doubt about that.”
He added: “Many felt that the long-standing relationship with the DMK has to be respected. We want a secular government, and there can be no compromise on that.”
Noting that Vijay had reached out, he said the party had “reciprocated positively” by extending support for government formation. He also clarified that Congress maintains only an electoral alliance with the DMK and is not part of the state government, though cooperation may continue at the national level.
AIADMK at Crossroads
Meanwhile, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is witnessing internal churn, with a section of MLAs reportedly urging party chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami to reconsider alliance strategies and explore support to TVK.
Sources indicate that leaders believe aligning with Vijay could restore the party’s political relevance and secure a role in governance. Former minister C.V. Shanmugam, along with leaders like S.P. Velumani and K.C. Karuppannan, is said to be part of ongoing deliberations.
Speaking to reporters, however, Shanmugam maintained that any decision on an alliance would rest solely with the party leadership.
Adding intrigue, two senior TVK leaders reportedly met Palaniswami at his residence, even as a scheduled AIADMK MLAs’ meeting was cancelled—fueling speculation of intense backroom negotiations.
DMK in Retreat
The ruling DMK has begun internal consultations after suffering a significant electoral setback and losing power after a single term. Political observers say the coming 48 hours will be crucial in determining whether Tamil Nadu gets a stable coalition or heads into prolonged uncertainty.
With multiple stakeholders in play and numbers delicately poised, the State stands at the cusp of a transformative political shift—one that could redefine its decades-old Dravidian dominance.
