NEW DELHI: A fractured mandate in Tamil Nadu has triggered political manoeuvring, with parties exploring unlikely alliances as the race to form the next government appears to remain wide open.This comes as actor-turned-politician Vijay’s bid to become chief minister hit a roadblock, as governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was reportedly unconvinced that the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam had the numbers required to form a stable government.
Are AIADMK-DMK coming together?After fighting the assembly elections bitterly against each other, the DMK and the AIADMK are now reportedly exploring ways to prevent the TVK from forming the government.
While no formal decision has been taken, discussions within both camps suggest the possibility is being seriously examined. Reports of deliberations between the two Dravidian giants surfaced hours after the Congress announced support to the TVK. Neither the DMK nor the AIADMK officially commented on the reports.The DMK won 59 seats while the AIADMK secured 47. Even together, the two parties would still require support from smaller parties to cross the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly.Meanwhile, the AIADMK shifted some of its newly elected MLAs to neighbouring Puducherry. Party spokesperson Kovai Sathyan confirmed that legislators had been moved there, but did not disclose the number of MLAs or the reason behind the decision.According to PTI sources, the AIADMK was initially prepared to extend unconditional support to the Vijay-led TVK to help it form the government, and discussions were underway between the two sides.
However, after what sources described as prolonged silence from the TVK camp since Wednesday afternoon, the AIADMK reportedly withdrew the offer.Governor yet to decide on TVK claimEarlier on Wednesday, Vijay met Governor Arlekar to stake claim to form the government. However, no formal invitation to form the government or decision on a swearing-in ceremony has yet been announced, as the governor was reportedly not fully satisfied with the TVK’s claim of support.Criticising the delay, Congress Lok Sabha MP Jothimani said the majority should be tested on the floor of the assembly and not at Raj Bhavan.“The BJP must immediately stop playing politics via the Raj Bhavan. The Governor should immediately invite TVK leader Vijay to form the government,” she said.Congress backs TVK after split with DMKThe developments come after the Congress severed ties with its long-time ally DMK and extended support to the TVK.In a letter, the Congress said its support would remain conditional on the TVK keeping “communal forces” out of the alliance.“The people of Tamil Nadu, especially the youth, have delivered a clear verdict for a secular, progressive and welfarist government that believes in constitutional principles,” the letter said.Defending the decision, Congress leader Pawan Khera rejected allegations of betrayal by the DMK.“I would like to take you back to December 2013, when the DMK announced that it would fight the Lok Sabha polls alone. Did you ask them then if this was backstabbing? This cannot be called backstabbing,” Khera said in New Delhi.Numbers remain tight for VijayThe TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly but remains short of the majority mark.With the Congress’ five MLAs, the TVK-led bloc currently reaches 113 seats. However, Vijay contested and won from two constituencies – Perambur and Trichy East – and must vacate one seat. Once that happens, the effective strength of the House will reduce to 233 and the majority mark will come down to 117, while the TVK tally will fall to 107.This would leave the TVK-led alliance needing five more MLAs to prove majority.According to PTI sources, the TVK is now trying to secure support from the VCK, the two Left parties and the IUML, all currently part of the DMK-led alliance. However, none of these parties has so far given a clear indication of support.“Vijay has sought our support. We will decide after ascertaining the views of our party’s senior functionaries,” VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan told a news channel.Sources said the VCK is expected to hold a meeting on Thursday to decide on the TVK’s request.Meanwhile, the TVK has moved several of its MLAs from districts to a resort in Mamallapuram as the party intensifies efforts to secure the numbers needed to form the government.
