Left support lifts TVK to 116, still two seats shy of majority

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay’s attempt to form the government in Tamil Nadu hit a roadblock after Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar refused to extend an invitation, citing insufficient majority support.

Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay remained embroiled in a tense numbers battle on Friday after Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar once again declined to invite him to form the government, citing the absence of a clear majority in the 234-member Assembly.​

Bringing days of political suspense to a critical juncture, Vijay met the Governor at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Friday evening and formally staked a claim to form the next government in the state.​

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The actor-turned-politician submitted letters of support from the Congress, the Communist Party of India, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), bringing his effective strength to 116 MLAs.​

However, the figure still fell short of the crucial majority mark of 118 in the Assembly, leaving the political situation hanging in uncertainty.​

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Indian Union Muslim League, both considered key potential allies, had not yet submitted written letters of support to the Governor.​

Sources close to Governor Arlekar said Vijay was informed that he could not be invited to form the government without demonstrable majority support on paper.​

“Joseph Vijay has not been able to show that he has majority support. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam currently has the backing of 116 MLAs. There was no formal letter of support from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Indian Union Muslim League or any other party. Hence, he has not been invited to take oath on Saturday or Sunday,” Raj Bhavan sources told reporters after the meeting.​

The development has prolonged the uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu, nearly four days after the Assembly election results threw up a fractured mandate.​

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single-largest party by winning 108 seats in the April 23 elections, but remained short of a majority on its own.​

Meanwhile, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam intensified backchannel efforts to secure the support of the remaining parties required to cross the halfway mark and avoid the possibility of alternative political alignments.​

Vijay arrived at Lok Bhavan accompanied by senior Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leaders N. Anand and K.A. Sengottaiyan.​

Also present was KVN Productions founder and “Jana Nayagan” film producer Venkat K. Narayana.​

Unlike his earlier meeting with the Governor on May 6, which reportedly took place amid visible tension, Friday’s interaction appeared more cordial, with Vijay greeting Arlekar with a customary “Vanakkam” and presenting him with a bouquet and shawl before discussions began.​