PTI file photo NEW DELHI: Even after the assembly results, Tamil Nadu is far from forming a government as parties scramble for numbers to reach the majority mark.With TVK emerging as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, Vijay’s support tally rose to 117, just one short of the majority mark.This comes after the CPI and CPM, with two MLAs each, extended support to his party. VCK, with two MLAs, is yet to formally submit its letter of support.VCK spokesperson K K Pavalan said the party’s MLAs would issue letters backing TVK on Saturday, while party leader Thol Thirumavalavan is expected to make an official announcement later in the day..Left backs TVK to avert governor’s rule; IUML withdraws support at the last minuteAmid the fast-moving political developments, Vijay met governor R V Arlekar at Lok Bhavan on Friday evening as efforts intensified to secure the final numbers needed to stake claim to power. Earlier in the day, the CPI had announced its “unconditional support” to TVK for the formation of the next government in the state.However, it was indicated that the two IUML MLAs would also back the party, paving the way for a possible swearing-in ceremony on Saturday. However, the political equations shifted late in the night after the IUML announced that it would not support TVK.CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said the party had decided to back TVK to prevent the imposition of governor’s rule in Tamil Nadu. “It would amount to the BJP entering the state through the back door. To stop that, we have chosen to support TVK,” he said, while clarifying that the CPM would not join the new cabinet.TTV seeks EPS invite, alleges poaching bidMeanwhile, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran met the governor, urging him to invite AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami to form the government. Speaking to reporters outside Lok Bhavan, Dhinakaran alleged that his party’s lone MLA had gone incommunicado and accused TVK of engaging in “horse trading”. He later claimed the legislator had become unreachable after a forged letter surfaced suggesting he had extended support to TVK.AIADMK leaders hold backchannel talks with TVKFrom May 4 to the afternoon of May 6, senior AIADMK leaders S P Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam are learnt to have held intense negotiations with senior TVK leaders, including Bussy Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and Vijay’s election strategist John Arokiasamy. Sources said the AIADMK leaders sought one cabinet berth for every five supporting MLAs, amounting to seven ministerial positions, along with the post of deputy chief minister.However, political circles noted a marked silence from TVK after Congress MLAs visited the party’s Panaiyur office on May 6 and submitted letters of support.EPS blocks TVK outreach, shifts AIADMK MLAs to Puducherry resortsOn May 6, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami moved swiftly to consolidate his camp, summoning all newly elected party MLAs to his office. Following a day of intense consultations with senior leaders and former ministers, Palaniswami is learnt to have successfully blocked attempts by S P Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam to rally AIADMK legislators in support of Vijay’s bid to form the government.Maintaining a firm stand against extending any “voluntary support” to TVK, Palaniswami later deputed AIADMK deputy general secretary K P Munusamy to publicly state that the party “would not support TVK under any circumstance”.Later that evening, AIADMK MLAs were shifted to resorts in Puducherry and reportedly kept away from all forms of communication amid fears of poaching attempts.DMK explores AIADMK tie-up to block Vijay, but allies drift towards TVKOn May 7, DMK president M K Stalin held consultations with party MLAs and instructed them to abide by whatever decision the leadership eventually took amid the fluid post-poll situation. During a meeting with alliance partners CPI, CPM and VCK on Thursday morning, Stalin is learnt to have floated the idea of a DMK-backed government led by the AIADMK and sought their support to prevent TVK chief Vijay from assuming office.According to alliance sources, Stalin urged the allies not to abruptly sever ties with the DMK, unlike the Congress, and instead remain within the alliance framework while discussions continued. “He told the allies not to take any step without informing him. He also said he would not stand in their way,” a senior alliance leader said. Later on Friday night, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan met Stalin at his Cenotaph Road residence, reportedly to discuss a possible amicable separation.Though Stalin maintained publicly that the DMK preferred to function as a strong opposition, intense backchannel negotiations continued behind the scenes to block Vijay’s path to power. However, the proposal failed to gain unanimous backing from alliance partners.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Says Only Congress Can Defeat BJP, Makes Explosive Claims Linking Modi To Epstein FilesChina Reveals On-Site Assistance To Pakistan During Conflict With India Last YearVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different Perspectives123PhotostoriesHow Each Zodiac Sign Expresses Love to Their Mother Without Saying ItHow Jason Fox keeps his body shredded at 49: The SAS star’s no-nonsense approach to upper body strengthReal-life partners of the most famous TV couples:John Krasinski-Jenna Fischer, Dan Levy-Noah Reid and more5 forgotten mystery movies that are amazing from start to finish: ‘Brick’, ‘The Pledge’ and more10 beautiful baby girl names starting with letter P10 minutes daily spiritual practice that can help with overthinking and anxietyThe Parenting Style of Every Zodiac Sign Mom5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? 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NEW DELHI: Even after the assembly results, Tamil Nadu is far from forming a government as parties scramble for numbers to reach the majority mark.With TVK emerging as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, Vijay’s support tally rose to 117, just one short of the majority mark.This comes after the CPI and CPM, with two MLAs each, extended support to his party. VCK, with two MLAs, is yet to formally submit its letter of support.VCK spokesperson K K Pavalan said the party’s MLAs would issue letters backing TVK on Saturday, while party leader Thol Thirumavalavan is expected to make an official announcement later in the day.
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Left backs TVK to avert governor’s rule; IUML withdraws support at the last minute
Amid the fast-moving political developments, Vijay met governor R V Arlekar at Lok Bhavan on Friday evening as efforts intensified to secure the final numbers needed to stake claim to power. Earlier in the day, the CPI had announced its “unconditional support” to TVK for the formation of the next government in the state.However, it was indicated that the two IUML MLAs would also back the party, paving the way for a possible swearing-in ceremony on Saturday. However, the political equations shifted late in the night after the IUML announced that it would not support TVK.CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said the party had decided to back TVK to prevent the imposition of governor’s rule in Tamil Nadu. “It would amount to the BJP entering the state through the back door. To stop that, we have chosen to support TVK,” he said, while clarifying that the CPM would not join the new cabinet.
TTV seeks EPS invite, alleges poaching bid
Meanwhile, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran met the governor, urging him to invite AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami to form the government. Speaking to reporters outside Lok Bhavan, Dhinakaran alleged that his party’s lone MLA had gone incommunicado and accused TVK of engaging in “horse trading”. He later claimed the legislator had become unreachable after a forged letter surfaced suggesting he had extended support to TVK.
AIADMK leaders hold backchannel talks with TVK
From May 4 to the afternoon of May 6, senior AIADMK leaders S P Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam are learnt to have held intense negotiations with senior TVK leaders, including Bussy Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and Vijay’s election strategist John Arokiasamy. Sources said the AIADMK leaders sought one cabinet berth for every five supporting MLAs, amounting to seven ministerial positions, along with the post of deputy chief minister.However, political circles noted a marked silence from TVK after Congress MLAs visited the party’s Panaiyur office on May 6 and submitted letters of support.
EPS blocks TVK outreach, shifts AIADMK MLAs to Puducherry resorts
On May 6, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami moved swiftly to consolidate his camp, summoning all newly elected party MLAs to his office. Following a day of intense consultations with senior leaders and former ministers, Palaniswami is learnt to have successfully blocked attempts by S P Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam to rally AIADMK legislators in support of Vijay’s bid to form the government.Maintaining a firm stand against extending any “voluntary support” to TVK, Palaniswami later deputed AIADMK deputy general secretary K P Munusamy to publicly state that the party “would not support TVK under any circumstance”.Later that evening, AIADMK MLAs were shifted to resorts in Puducherry and reportedly kept away from all forms of communication amid fears of poaching attempts.
DMK explores AIADMK tie-up to block Vijay, but allies drift towards TVK
On May 7, DMK president M K Stalin held consultations with party MLAs and instructed them to abide by whatever decision the leadership eventually took amid the fluid post-poll situation. During a meeting with alliance partners CPI, CPM and VCK on Thursday morning, Stalin is learnt to have floated the idea of a DMK-backed government led by the AIADMK and sought their support to prevent TVK chief Vijay from assuming office.According to alliance sources, Stalin urged the allies not to abruptly sever ties with the DMK, unlike the Congress, and instead remain within the alliance framework while discussions continued. “He told the allies not to take any step without informing him. He also said he would not stand in their way,” a senior alliance leader said. Later on Friday night, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan met Stalin at his Cenotaph Road residence, reportedly to discuss a possible amicable separation.Though Stalin maintained publicly that the DMK preferred to function as a strong opposition, intense backchannel negotiations continued behind the scenes to block Vijay’s path to power. However, the proposal failed to gain unanimous backing from alliance partners.
