Vijay set to become Tamil Nadu CM as Left, VCK extend support to TVK
Chennai, May 8: Four days after political uncertainty gripped Tamil Nadu following the Assembly election results, actor-turned-politician Vijay is now set to…
Chennai, May 8: Four days after political uncertainty gripped Tamil Nadu following the Assembly election results, actor-turned-politician Vijay is now set to become the next Chief Minister, with sources indicating that the Left parties and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) have decided to support his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), reports NDTV.
Celebrations erupted outside Vijay’s Chennai residence on Friday evening, with supporters raising slogans of “TVK, TVK” after reports emerged that the party had finally secured the numbers required to form the government.
Sources said Vijay is likely to meet Governor RV Arlekar around 6 pm to stake claim to form the government.
TVK Emerges as Largest Party in Tamil Nadu
Vijay’s TVK stunned Tamil Nadu politics by winning 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly in its electoral debut, ending the decades-long dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in state politics.
However, despite emerging as the single-largest party, Governor RV Arlekar reportedly refused to invite Vijay to form the government without proof of majority support.
Vijay held meetings with the Governor on Wednesday and Thursday, but sources said Arlekar insisted on letters of support from at least 118 MLAs, the majority mark in the Assembly.
TVK had 107 MLAs excluding Vijay himself.
How Vijay Reached the Majority Mark
The TVK chief needed support from at least 11 more MLAs because he had contested from two constituencies — Trichy (East) and Perambur — and would need to vacate one seat before taking oath as Chief Minister.
Vijay first secured the backing of five Congress MLAs after the party reportedly broke away from the DMK-led alliance.
He also opened discussions with the VCK, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India.
Sources now indicate that the VCK and Left parties have agreed to support TVK. The VCK, CPI(M) and CPI together have six MLAs — exactly the number Vijay needed to cross the majority mark.
According to sources, each supporting party is expected to get representation in the new cabinet.
The Congress is also reportedly seeking two ministerial berths in return for support.
DMK-AIADMK Alliance Speculation Fizzles Out
The political uncertainty over the past few days also triggered speculation about a possible alliance between the DMK and AIADMK, two major Dravidian rivals that have dominated Tamil Nadu politics for decades.
Political observers suggested both parties were concerned about Vijay’s sudden rise and the possibility of a long-term political shift in the state.
However, the proposed alliance never moved beyond speculation, with leaders from both camps privately admitting that ideological resistance within their parties made such a partnership nearly impossible.
With support from Congress, VCK and the Left parties, Vijay now appears set to lead Tamil Nadu’s next government, marking one of the most dramatic political transitions in the state’s recent history.
