Back channel deals, shifting loyalties and Vijay’s power play – what’s happening in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi: Even after the assembly results, Tamil Nadu is still far from forming a government as parties jockey for numbers to reach a majority.With TVK becoming the largest single party with 108 seats in the 234-member assembly, Vijay’s support rose to 117, just one short of a majority.Prior to this, the CPI and CPM (two MLAs each) had extended support to his party. VCK, which has two MLAs, is yet to formally submit a letter of support.VCK spokesperson KK Pavalan said the party’s MLAs will send a letter of support for TVK on Saturday, while party leader Thol Thirumavalavan is expected to make a formal statement later in the day.

Left-back TVK to avoid governor’s rule; IUML withdraws support at last minute

Amid fast-moving political developments, Vijay met Governor RV Arlekar at Lok Bhavan on Friday evening while efforts were intensified to secure the final numbers needed to gain power. Earlier in the day, the CPI had announced “unconditional support” to TVK to form the next government in the state.However, sources say two FEI MPs will also support the party, paving the way for a possible swearing-in ceremony on Saturday. However, the political situation changed late at night after IUML announced that it would not support TVK.CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said the party has decided to support TVK to prevent the imposition of governor’s rule in Tamil Nadu. “This is tantamount to the BJP entering the state through the back door. To stop this, we have chosen to support TVK,” he said while clarifying that the CPM will not join the new cabinet.

TTV seeks EPS invitation, accuses bid poaching

Meanwhile, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran met the governor and urged him to invite Artificial Intelligence ADMK Chief Edappadi K Palaniswami forms the government. Addressing reporters outside Lok Bhavan, Dhinakaran claimed that the party’s lone MP had become incommunicado and accused TVK of engaging in “horse trading”. He later claimed the lawmaker became unreachable after a forged letter suggested he had offered support to TVK.

AIADMK leaders hold secret talks with TVK

It is understood that from the afternoon of May 4 to May 6, senior AIADMK leaders SP Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam were said to have had intense negotiations with senior TVK leaders, including Bussy Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and Vijay’s election strategist John Arokiasamy. Sources said the AIADMK leader is seeking one cabinet post for every five supportive MLAs, equivalent to seven ministerial posts, as well as the post of deputy chief minister.However, political circles noted TVK’s conspicuous silence after MPs visited the party’s Banayur office on May 6 and submitted letters of support.

EPS blocks TVK outreach, moves AIADMK MLA to Pondicherry resort

On May 6, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami moved quickly to consolidate his camp, calling all the newly elected party MPs to his office. After a day of intense consultations with senior leaders and former ministers, Palaniswami was informed that SP Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam had successfully blocked an attempt by SP Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam to summon AIADMK legislators to support Vijay in forming the government.Palaniswami was staunchly opposed to providing any “voluntary support” to TVK, following which AIADMK acting general secretary KP Munusamy publicly stated that the party “will not support TVK under any circumstances”.Later in the evening, the AIADMK MLAs were shifted to a resort in Puducherry and reportedly stayed away from all forms of interaction fearing poaching attempts.

DMK AIADMK collaboration explored to stop Vijay, but allies lean toward TVK

On May 7, DMK Chairman Stalin Hold consultations with MLAs from all parties and instruct them to abide by any decision ultimately taken by the leadership amid the fluid post-poll situation. It is understood that Stalin, at a meeting with alliance partners Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) and Vietnam Communist Party (VCK) on Thursday morning, raised the idea of ​​forming a DMK-backed, AIADMK-led government and sought their support to prevent TVK chief Vijay from taking office.According to alliance sources, Stalin urged the allies not to sever ties with the DMK suddenly like the Congress but to stay within the alliance framework while discussions continue. “He told allies not to take any action without informing him. He also said he would not stop them,” a senior alliance leader said. Later on Friday evening, VCK chairman Thol Thirumavalavan met Stalin at his residence on Cenotaph Road and reportedly discussed a possible amicable breakup.Despite Stalin’s public insistence that the DMK preferred to act as a strong opposition, fierce secret negotiations continued behind the scenes to block Vijay’s path to power. However, the proposal failed to gain unanimous support from coalition partners.