Chennai | Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday conveyed to TVK chief Vijay that his party does not have the requisite support to form the government and the fledgling party simultaneously stepped up its efforts to convince the Left parties, VCK and the IUML to rope them in to shore up numbers.
They are expected to spell out their stand on the matter within two days.
The parties in contention wanted the governor to invite TVK to form government. They are likely to extend support, considering Vijay is open to accommodate prospective allies in his cabinet.
Vijay, based on an invite from governor Arlekar, visited the Lok Bhavan in his second visit within 24 hours.
"During the meeting, the Hon'ble Governor explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the government, has not been established," Lok Bhavan said in a press release.
When contacted, CPI(M) State Secretary P Shanmugam told PTI that the party would take stock of the situation and consider TVK's request for support on May 8.
CPI State Secretary Veerapandian said a decision was likely on Friday and VCK top leader Thol Thirumavalavan said his party's top level body would decide on the matter after Left parties take a stand on the issue of extending support to TVK, which is five short of the required 118 MLAs to install its first government.
The Congress, Left parties and VCK chief Thirumavalavan also condemned the Governor for not inviting Vijay so far to form the government.
"Experts say that the governor cannot demand a list of 118 MLAs who will support the government and our view is that the BJP is creating confusion in Tamil Nadu politics. They may be asked to prove majority on the floor of the House and they cannot be asked to give list in advance," Thirumavalavan told reporters.
TNCC announced a state-wide protest against the Governor and BJP regime at the Centre over the issue on Friday.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee in a statement said, "Governments are not decided on the lawns of Lok Bhavan. They are decided on the floor of the House."
TVK leader CTR Nirmal Kumar called on Veerapandian and Marxist party leader Shanmugam and sought their support in forming a government and told reporters that they had also requested IUML to extend its support.
Meanwhile, DMK sources said party president and outgoing Chief Minister MK Stalin conveyed his wish --in a meeting-- to the leaders of alliance parties including the Left that they should continue to be part of the Secular Progressive Alliance.
On the AIADMK front, MLAs of the party were lodged in a resort in neighbouring Puducherry.
In a span of 24 hours, Vijay had met the Governor for the second time on Thursday over government formation.
Though TVK won the April 23 polls with 108 seats, it fell short of the majority mark of 118 to form government. The Congress, which has won five seats, has extended its support to TVK.
CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby called upon Arlekar to uphold democratic conventions by inviting the TVK to form the government as it was the single largest party in a fractured assembly.
Speaking on the political impasse in Tamil Nadu, the CPI (M) top leader argued that in the absence of a clear majority or a pre-poll alliance reaching the magic number, constitutional precedent dictates that the leader of the largest party be sworn in. He cited the 1996 invitation to BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a historical parallel.
"The governor's office should be beyond suspicion," Baby told PTI Videos, questioning the delay in the invitation and demanding that Vijay be given reasonable time to prove his majority on the floor of the House.
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Narayanan Tirupathy claimed that everything regarding government formation will happen in a democratic way and that the governor will stick to the rules.
"I don't think there is any confusion with Raj Bhavan or the governor. He (governor) will go by the constitution. He will go by rule book", the BJP leader told PTI videos.
"The way the people have cast their votes reflects this outcome. Consequently, the electorate has voted in such a way that no single party has secured an absolute majority", he added.
Tirupathy said, "According to our constitutional framework, the party that secures the highest number of seats, specifically, more than half of the total strength of the house and the one that gets the necessary support or backing is entitled to form the government. However, unfortunately, in this instance, no party has secured a majority".
"I believe this is precisely the reason for the current confusion and they (Lok Bhavan) were taking the necessary time", he said adding "if other parties come forward to express their support for Vijay, a stable governance will be established in Tamil Nadu"
Meanwhile, TVK cadres staged a protest demonstration outside the Lok Bhavan on Thursday, demanding that the governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar should allow the party chief Vijay to form the government.
Chennai | The TVK held a crucial meeting of the party's MLAs-designate here on Thursday to discuss government foAIADMK’s C V Shanmugam resigns from Rajya Sabharmation.
A large number of newly elected members and also office-bearers who turned up for the meeting on Thursday evening at Panaiyur sought to know from party general secretary 'Bussy' N Anand when the TVK would form the government.
"Many wanted to know from Anand when the TVK will form the government. The leader asked them to be patient as the party chief Vijay was making all the efforts," a source in the party said.
"The people of Tamil Nadu have given us the mandate to form the government under our leader Vijay. It will definitely happen. Our leader is taking steps," TVK Theni district president Pandi said.
Many presumed that there would be Vijay's swearing-in as Chief Minister but felt dismayed when the event could not take place today.
The meeting comes in the wake of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam falling short of meeting a simple majority to form the government.
Though the Congress with 5 MLAs has offered support to TVK, Vijay's party falls short of a simple majority of 118 in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The TVK won 108 seats in the Assembly elections held on April 23, including two that Vijay won. He has to vacate a seat and retain one constituency.
New Delhi/Chennai | In a significant political development, AIADMK leader C V Shanmugam has resigned from his Rajya Sabha seat.
The former minister confirmed the move in the national capital on Thursday, shortly after submitting his resignation to the competent authority.
"I have sent my resignation. I have resigned from my position. Thank you," he told reporters, declining to elaborate.
The resignation has triggered intense speculation regarding shifting alliances in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
Amid rumours of a potential tie-up between the AIADMK and the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), or even a realignment with the DMK, Shanmugam maintained a strict distance from the conjectures.
Responding to queries about a "new government" or specific alliance speculations, he said, "I can’t say anything. I don't know anything.”
Shanmugam, an influential leader from Vanniyar-dominated Villupuram, had been serving his term in the Upper House since 2022.
Puducherry | AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday held a meeting with the newly elected MLAs from Tamil Nadu at a private resort near Ariyankuppam on the outskirts of Puducherry.
Nearly 40 legislators were present at the meeting, which lasted nearly one hour.
Party sources said that Palaniswami asked the MLAs-elect to remain united and be patient.
"Good things will emerge and hence you should all remain united and patient in the resort in the next couple of days," he told the MLAs.
The development comes amid TVK's attempts to secure a majority in the 234-member strong Tamil Nadu Assembly. The Congress party, which has 5 MLAs, has already extended support to the TVK.
In the TN Assembly election, the TVK has won 108 seats, the DMK 59, AIADMK 47, Congress 5, PMK 4, IUML 2, CPI 2, CPI-M 2, and the VCK 2. The BJP, DMDK and AMMK have got 1 seat each.
TVK is five short of the required 118 MLAs to form its first government in Tamil Nadu.
Puducherry AIADMK state secretary and lone MLA A Anbalagan, along with party functionaries received Palaniswami at the resort.
