Tamil Nadu power shift: Congress, Left, VCK backing clears path for Vijay’s next move

TVK chief Vijay is likely to meet Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar again on Friday evening as the post election deadlock in the state appears to move toward a resolution. Vijay will stake claim to form the government in the state, often referred to as the “Detroit of Asia.”

Congress, which left its alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam to add five supporters, did so on the condition that Vijay and TVK avoid aligning with what it described as “communal parties,” a reference to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is in alliance with the AIADMK.

TVK then opened talks with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India. By Friday afternoon, after two rounds of meetings, sources told NDTV that all three had agreed to back Vijay, with the decision formalised through letters of support confirmed by TVK Deputy General Secretary CT Nirmal Kumar.

NDTV also reported that it has been told that the VCK, CPM, and CPI will get one cabinet post each in the incoming government.

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Numbers finally click as Vijay heads back to Raj Bhavan

The latest development follows a tense spell in which Governor Arlekar declined to invite Vijay to form the government without confirmation of majority support.

Vijay had met the governor on Wednesday and Thursday but was told he could not run a government of 113 MLAs when the House majority stands at 118. Arlekar had asked for letters of support from 118 MLA-elects.

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TVK’s big win still needed a few more hands to cross the line

Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won 108 of the 234 seats in last month’s election, setting off political speculation across the state.

However, the party did not immediately have the numbers needed to translate the victory into a government, with Vijay initially holding 107 supporters excluding himself.

He needed at least 10 more seats, or 11 more, because he contested two constituencies—Trichy (East) and Perambur—and would have to resign from one before taking office.

Left, VCK support flips the power math in Vijay’s favour

Vijay had already secured five supporters from Congress, while talks were also under way with the VCK, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Communist Party of India.

By Friday afternoon, the VCK and the Left had chosen to back Vijay, giving him the exact numbers he needed.

Outside his Chennai residence, chants of “TVK, TVK” were heard as word of the support shifted the political equation in his favor.