Ending the five-day-long suspense over government formation in Tamil Nadu, the VCK on Saturday declared unconditional support to the Vijay-led TVK, enabling the actor-politician to stake claim to form the government with a clear majority in the Assembly.
Following the announcement, TVK founder-chief Vijay met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai and formally staked claim to form the new government.
The swearing-in ceremony for the Council of Ministers, to be led by Vijay, is scheduled to take place in Chennai at 10 AM on Sunday.
The Governor has directed the newly appointed Chief Minister to prove his majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly by seeking a confidence vote on or before May 13, according to Lok Bhavan sources.
This was the fourth time Vijay met the Governor since the election results, but unlike the previous occasions, he now enjoys majority support in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Soon after the VCK extended support to TVK, another DMK ally, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), also announced its backing for Vijay. The IUML has two MLAs.
With the support of the VCK and IUML, the numbers in favour of TVK rose to 120 — two above the simple majority mark of 118 in the Assembly.
Earlier in the evening, TVK leader Adhav Arujuna confirmed the development and announced that the VCK had formally decided to support the party.
VCK legislature party leader Vanni Arasu also submitted a letter to the Governor declaring the party’s support to TVK.
“Victory,” Arujuna said, while thanking the Congress, Left parties and VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan for backing TVK, and expressed confidence that Vijay would soon become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Sources in the VCK said the party would, for now, extend outside support to the TVK-led government.
Before finalising its decision, the VCK had reportedly considered placing several conditions before extending support, including the continuation of welfare schemes introduced during the previous DMK regime.
The party had also prioritised the continuation of two commissions — one constituted to recommend legislation against honour killings and another examining reservation in promotions for government employees.
Sources further indicated that internal discussions within the VCK also explored the possibility of seeking a share in power, including ministerial positions and even a proposal projecting Thirumavalavan for the Chief Minister’s post with the backing of both the DMK and AIADMK, sources privy to the meeting told TNIE.
It is this proposal that prompted Thirumavalavan to visit DMK president MK Stalin at his Cenotaph Road residence for a consultation.
Stalin was reportedly receptive to the idea, but raised questions about future electoral politics, including in which alliance VCK plans to contest the next elections if both Dravidian majors backed Thirumavalavan for the top post.
The same proposal was also taken to AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. Sources close to EPS, however, said he outrightly rejected it, noting it would damage his core vote bank.
On Saturday morning, EPS posted in a social media platform X, extending his greetings to the party set to form a new government
The numbers game
Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats in a stunning electoral debut, has been denied permission to form the government by the Governor, who has been insisting that proof of majority should be provided before a floor test in the Assembly.
Vijay has met the Governor three times since the results for the Assembly elections were announced on Monday.
The party earlier obtained support from the Congress, which won five seats in the Assembly elections as part of the DMK-led alliance.
On Thursday, Left parties extended support to Vijay, upping the prospects for the TVK to form the government.
The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a long-time ally of the Left parties, also followed suit but did not send any letter of support, thereby prompting the Governor to call off the swearing-in ceremony scheduled on Saturday.
Thirumavalavan has already announced that his party's decision would align with the decision of the Left parties. Vijay, who visited senior leaders of the left parties on Friday, is expected to meet Thirumavalavan on Saturday.
Tight security arrangements have been made at the office of the VCK in Ashok Nagar ahead of the expected meeting.
VCK leader Vanniarasu, a close aid of the party founder, gave clear indication that the party was keen on getting a share in power, which Vijay is prepared to offer.
He said the party will emerge as a significant political entity holding the central position.
In a post on X, Arasu said, "even if one tries to marginalise or alienate us, we will emerge as a central force," indicating that VCK will be a deciding factor.
Notably, PMK founder S Ramadoss on Saturday urged the Governor to invite Vijay to form the government, noting that it is the duty of everyone to bow to the people's verdict.
"It is the duty of everyone to bow to the people's verdict. This process must not be delayed. An invitation should be extended immediately," he said in a statement.
He also urged the VCK to extend support to the TVK.
Horse-trading allegations against TVK
Meanwhile, the AMMK, a constituent of the NDA alliance, on Saturday loged a complaint with the Guindy police alleging TVK chief Vijay used a "forged" support letter by its MLA to stake claim for government formation.
According to Guindy police, the petition was filed by AMMK General Secretary T T V Dhinakaran. However, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in the matter as of Saturday morning.
Speaking to reporters, Dhinakaran accused the TVK of submitting a forged photocopy of a letter to the Governor, falsely claiming the support of AMMK's lone MLA-elect from Mannargudi, S Kamaraj.
"The TVK, which claims to be a 'pure force,' has indulged in forgery and horse-trading," Dhinakaran stated.
Meanwhile, the TVK has dismissed the allegations as "false news," releasing a counter-video purportedly showing MLA Kamaraj signing the support letter voluntarily.
(With inputs from Prabhakar Tamilarasu, PTI)
