New Delhi: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay will take oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at 11 am on Saturday after Governor Rajendra Vishwanath
Arlekar invited him to form the government following a meeting at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Friday evening.
Alliance crosses majority
Vijay submitted letters of support from 118 MLAs, meeting the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly. The breakthrough came after the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) extended support to the TVK.
The TVK, which won 107 seats in the Assembly elections, secured the backing of five Congress MLAs, two legislators each from the CPI and CPI(M), and two from the VCK, clearing the path for the party to form its maiden government in the state.
This was Vijay’s third meeting with the Governor in three days after he was asked to furnish proof of majority. The CPI(M), while offering unconditional support, said the decision was taken to ensure stability and uphold the people’s mandate.
The development came after intense backchannel negotiations, including outreach by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan, which helped consolidate support in Vijay’s favour.
Governor sought majority proof
It should be noted that this was Vijay’s third meeting with the Governor in three days after he was asked to furnish proof of majority. On Wednesday and Thursday, Arlekar had declined to invite Vijay to form the government, citing lack of numbers, triggering protests and criticism from Opposition parties, which accused the Centre of trying to delay the government formation process.
The CPI(M), while extending unconditional support, said the decision was taken to ensure political stability and uphold the people’s mandate.
