CHENNAI: Day after the historic electoral victory in which his fledgling party secured 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has formally staked his claim to form the government.
After a meeting at the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur on Tuesday, where he was elected leader of the TVK legislature party by the new MLAs, Vijay submitted his letter staking claim to form the government to the Lok Bhavan.
While sources said the swearing-in ceremony could take place on May 7, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has not yet issued an official invitation. In anticipation of the upcoming ceremony and subsequent floor test, the party has instructed all its MLAs to remain in Chennai.
According to sources, Vijay has requested two weeks time to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly. He has also sought an appointment to meet the governor in person. Governor Arlekar, who is currently in Kerala, is set to return to Chennai on Wednesday.
Soon after the MLAs meeting, Vijay along with senior party functionaries visited the Voice of Commons (VOC), party’s political strategy team office in Teynampet where they discussed the probable choices for the party’s first cabinet. TVK general secretaries N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, and Arunraj, and deputy general secretaries CTR Nirmalkumar and Raj Mohan are among the probables, sources said.
Meanwhile, Vijay, who contested in Perambur and Tiruchy (East) seats, may resign his Tiruchy seat and field former AIADMK Minister Ku Pa Krishnan there, TVK sources said.
TVK strategist in touch with PMK president to finalise deal
After Vijay resigns one seat and a TVK member is elected as speaker, Vijay may need the support about 117 MLAs to prove his majority. In a full House, if all the MLAs are present and voting, he will need the support of nine more MLAs to prove his majority. According to sources, TVK has opened discussions with Congress and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), which have five and four MLAs, respectively.
Congress, which held its MLAs meeting at Sathyamurthy Bhavan on Tuesday, passed a resolution giving powers to the national leadership to select the party’s Assembly floor leader and power to decide on extending support to TVK.
According to sources, TVK’s political strategist Jhon Arockiyasamy is in touch with PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on finalising a deal. Party insiders said the PMK’s key priorities include securing 10.5% internal reservation for the Vanniyar community and conducting a caste-wise census.
They also noted that the party has long been advocating for a coalition government to ensure transparent and effective governance. Sources in TVK confirmed that the talks will be concluded most likely by Wednesday, after both Congress and PMK complete their MLAs’ meeting.
Vijay thanks ‘kids’ for win
Vijay on Thursday said the TVK’s electoral victory reflected the emotional democracy nurtured by the people in TN for years. He credited younger members of families, particularly children, for the party’s electoral success
TVK’s cabinet probables
TVK general secretaries N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, and Arunraj, and deputy general secretaries CTR Nirmalkumar and Raj Mohan are among the probable names under consideration for ministerial berth in Vijay’s first cabinet