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.
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.
According to sources, Vijay submitted a formal letter seeking an invitation to form the government and assured that the party would prove its majority on the floor of the House within the stipulated time. The move marks the first crucial constitutional step towards a possible regime change in the State.
The TVK’s remarkable debut—winning 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly—has redrawn Tamil Nadu’s political map, though the party remains 10 seats short of the majority mark of 118. 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, while Left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi are expected to take a call 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 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 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, led by M. K. Stalin, has begun internal consultations after suffering a significant electoral setback and losing power after a single term. Political observers say the coming days will be critical in determining whether the State sees a stable coalition or prolonged uncertainty.
With multiple stakeholders in play and numbers delicately poised, Tamil Nadu stands at the cusp of a transformative political shift—one that could redefine its decades-old Dravidian dominance.
