TVK crosses 118-seat mark, Vijay stakes claim to form government in Tamil Nadu

In a dramatic turn in Tamil Nadu politics, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has extended support to C. Joseph Vijay’s TVK, enabling the party to cross the crucial majority mark of 118 MLAs in the Assembly. With backing from the CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML, TVK now commands the support of 120 legislators.

Chennai: In a major political development in Tamil Nadu, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) on Saturday extended its support to the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), enabling the party to cross the majority mark of 118 MLAs required to form the government in the state.

Following the development, TVK chief C. Joseph Vijay met Governor-in-Charge Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to formally stake a claim to form the next government.

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Notably, Vijay has met the Governor for the fourth time in as many days.

Tamil Nadu went to the polls for all 234 Assembly constituencies in a single phase on April 23.

The election witnessed a fierce four-cornered contest involving the DMK, AIADMK, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), and TVK.

The results, declared on May 4, saw TVK emerge as the single-largest party with 108 seats, though it initially fell short of the majority mark in the Assembly.

After the results, intense political negotiations began in Chennai, with TVK initiating talks with several parties and independent legislators to gather support for government formation.

The CPI and CPI(M) had already announced their backing for TVK, while the political focus remained firmly on the VCK’s final decision.

With VCK and IUML now formally extending support, TVK is understood to have secured the backing of 120 legislators, clearing the path for Vijay to approach the Governor with a claim to form the government.

Sources said Vijay sought an urgent appointment with Governor Arlekar before the latter’s likely departure to Kerala. The meeting is expected to focus on submitting letters of support from allied parties and legislators and staking a claim to form the next government in Tamil Nadu.

TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna later displayed the support document before reporters and asserted that Vijay would soon take the oath as the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

The dramatic political developments triggered celebrations among TVK supporters across the state, while political observers closely monitored Raj Bhavan for the Governor’s next move amid the rapidly evolving government formation process.