116, 117, 118: Has Vijay Secured Majority Or Not? What Happens Next In Tamil Nadu

TVK founder Vijay meets Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi to stake claim, but IUML denies support and VCK delays decision, leaving TVK still short of majority in Assembly

Vijay. (PTI Photo) (PTI10_27_2024_000234B)

Hours after TVK founder Vijay appeared to have crossed the halfway mark of 118 MLAs and met Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi to stake claim to form the government, fresh uncertainty emerged late Friday night over his majority.

The IUML denied extending support to Vijay, while the VCK kept its decision pending and was learnt to be driving a hard bargain over its backing, leaving the political situation fluid and the numbers uncertain in Tamil Nadu

116, 117, 118: Vijay Yet To Touch Majority Mark

Amid this, the confusion and uncertainty for TVK to form the government is high after yet another roadblock as Vijay has not reached the magic number needed for a majority. Even after a third meeting with the Governor, the TVK remains just shy of a majority in the Assembly.

Vijay’s TVK has 108 seat (107 as Vijay won from two seats) and needs 118 to form the government.

The effective majority came down to 117 after Vijay won from two constituencies. The Congress, which walked out of the DMK-led front, extended support from its five MLAs to Vijay. The CPI and CPI(M), with two MLAs each, also offered unconditional outside support. However, the IUML decided to stay with the DMK alliance, reducing Vijay’s assured tally and keeping the numbers tight.

Amid this, the IUML, a long-time ally of the DMK with two MLAs, said it would support any party invited by Governor R N Ravi to form a “stable and secular government” and keep the BJP from making a “backdoor entry” into the state.

With neither the DMK nor the AIADMK having the numbers to form the government, it was widely expected that the Governor would invite Vijay, whose TVK had emerged as the single largest party, to stake claim.

Reports later emerged that the VCK, another DMK ally with two MLAs, had decided to support Vijay after initially saying it would follow the stand of the CPI and CPI(M). Following a high-level meeting, party sources said the VCK had agreed to extend support and hand over its letter to the TVK on Saturday morning. A party spokesperson also confirmed the move to UNI.

Armed with the support of the Left parties and the expected backing of the VCK, Vijay met Governor, who had earlier declined to invite him citing lack of numbers. Vijay staked claim to form the government and submitted letters of support, triggering celebrations among TVK cadres across the state. Reports also suggested that Vijay’s swearing-in could take place on Saturday.

However, the situation took a dramatic turn later in the night. After Vijay met CPI and CPI(M) leaders to thank them for their support and planned meetings with IUML and VCK leaders, both parties appeared to reconsider their stand.

The IUML categorically denied extending support to the TVK and asserted that it would continue to remain with the DMK alliance. “We were with the DMK in the past, are with it now, and will continue to remain with it in future,” the party said.

However, the situation became more complicated after the VCK said talks were still on and that it was yet to take a final decision on supporting Vijay. Reports also suggested that the party was driving a hard bargain, a claim that gained traction after VCK deputy general secretary and newly elected MLA Vanniarasu posted on social media seeking a share in both power and governance.

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