Four days after completing a historic mission and ending the 49-year-old duopoly of DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu politics, Vijay’s TVK is still in a state of flux. The party won a historic 108 seats, just shy of a majority of 118. However, the new entrant Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, a long-time ally of the DMK, still finds itself six seats short of a majority despite forging new ties with the Congress party.Interestingly, two traditional Dravidian parties (DMK and AIADMK), which have been rivals for a long time, are also reportedly considering an alliance and are rallying allies to stake their claim and prevent Vijay from forming the government.Now, four days after the poll results, Tamil Nadu finds itself at the center of intense political negotiations, alliance shifts, accusations, resort to politics and a battle over government formation.
This is tamil nadu post-poll drama Explain in 10 points:
- Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, becoming the single largest party in Tamil Nadu. DMK won 59 seats while AIADMK won 47 seats. For decades, power in Tamil Nadu has traditionally been alternately between the DMK and the AIADMK.
- Although TVK emerged as the largest party, it failed to break through a majority of 118 seats. The party initially fell short of 10 seats, creating uncertainty over government formation. The situation becomes more complicated as Vijay is expected to vacate one of the two seats he won, reducing TVK’s effective strength from 108 to 107.
- governor of tamil nadu Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar invited Vijay to Lok Bhavan but did not immediately ask him to form the government. According to ANI sources, the governor sought clarification on the “magic number” required to form the government and asked Vijay to provide details of legislators who supported TVK’s claim to form the government.
- Congress extended support to TVK with five MLAs, taking the alliance’s strength to 113. The move assumes political significance as the Congress sided with Vijay instead of siding with its long-time ally DMK, triggering tensions within the secular progressive alliance, with the DMK reportedly calling the Congress “the mastermind”.
- TVK has intensified its efforts to win support from smaller parties, including PMK, Left parties, CPM and VCK. Even with Congress’ support, TVK’s effective count is expected to reach 112, five seats short of the majority of 118, after Vijay vacated one seat.
- Several leaders, including VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan and leaders of Left parties, accused Governor Arlekar of acting under pressure from the BJP-led alliance government to delay or complicate the constitution-making process. Many political parties believe that Vijay should be allowed to pass the House test in Parliament to prove his majority.
- Meanwhile, Stalin reportedly held discussions with leaders of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India and CPM, whose six MLAs combined could become crucial in the numbers game.
- The rise of TVK has also triggered an unexpected exchange between the old enemies DMK and AIADMK. Chief Minister MK Stalin reportedly informed DMK MLAs that the AIADMK has sought support to form the government and prevent Vijay from becoming the chief minister. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is also expected to seek appointment with Governor Arlekar amid political uncertainty.
- TVK has also reportedly held talks with a section of AIADMK MLAs on a possible power-sharing arrangement. According to ANI sources, 28 AIADMK legislators supporting senior leader CV Shanmugam were shifted to a private resort in Puducherry, triggering speculations that the AIADMK’s internal wing is considering supporting TVK.
- Sources said discussions included a possible deputy chief minister’s post as well as Shanmugam’s key ministerial portfolio. However, the AIADMK itself appears to be divided, with party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami reportedly not agreeing to support TVK.
TVK, meanwhile, also moved its own MLAs to a luxury resort in Mamallapuram, where more than 50 lawmakers were on standby under tight police security while the party continued its post-election strategy discussions.