Backchannel deals, shifting loyalties and Vijay’s race for power – What’s unfolding in Tamil Nadu | India News
PTI file photo
NEW DELHI: Despite the assembly results, Tamil Nadu is far from forming a government as parties struggle 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 stands at 117, just one short of the majority figure.
This comes after CPI and CPM supported his party with two MLAs each. The VCK, along with two MLAs, is yet to formally submit the letter of supportVCK spokesperson KK Pavalan said party MLAs would write letters supporting the TV on Saturday, while party leader Thol Thirumabhavan is expected to make a formal announcement later in the day.
.
Left support TVK to avoid Governor’s rule; IUML withdrew support at the last minute
Amid fast-moving political developments, Vijay met Governor RV Arlekar at Lok Bhavan on Friday evening as efforts to secure the final numbers needed to claim power intensified. Earlier in the day, the CPI had announced “unconditional support” to TVK to form the next government in the state.However, it was hinted that two IUML MLAs would also support the party, paving the way for a possible swearing-in ceremony on Saturday. However, the political equation changed late at night after IUML announced that it would not support TV.Read more: How Tamil Nadu’s power struggle turned into hell; Why Dravid Major’s plan failed to materializeCPM state secretary P Shanmugam said the party has decided to support TV to prevent Governor’s rule in Tamil Nadu. “This would amount to BJP entering the state through the back door. To stop this, we have decided to support TV,” he said, clarifying that the CPM would not join the new cabinet.
TTV EPS seeks invitation, alleges bid rigging
Meanwhile, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran met the governor, urging him to invite AIADMK Chief Edappadi K Palaniswami will form the government. Speaking to reporters outside the Lok Bhavan, Dhinakaran alleged that his party’s lone MLA was out of touch and accused the TV of indulging in “horse trading”. He later claimed that the MLA could not be reached after publishing a fake letter suggesting that he support the TV.
AIADMK leaders are in backchannel talks with TVK
From the afternoon of May 4 to May 6, senior AIADMK leaders SP Velumani and CV Shanmugam reportedly held intense discussions with senior TVK leaders including Busi Anand, Adhav Arjuna and Vijay’s election strategist John Arokiyasamy. Sources said AIADMK leaders wanted one cabinet berth for every five supporting MLAs, amounting to seven ministerial posts, including the post of deputy chief minister.Follow Live Updates: All eyes on Vijay’s TV; The VC chief will announce the decision on the coalition government todayHowever, political circles have noted a marked silence from TVK after Congress MLAs visited the party’s Panayur office on May 6 and submitted letters of support.
EPS Blocks TVK Outreach, Shifts AIADMK MLAs to Puducherry Resort
On 6 May, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami moved swiftly to consolidate his camp, calling all the newly elected party MLAs to his office. After a day of intense talks with senior leaders and former ministers, Palaniswami reportedly successfully thwarted efforts by SP Velumani and CV Shanmugam to rally AIADMK MLAs in support of Vijay’s bid to form the government.Maintaining a firm stance against extending any “voluntary support” to TVK, Palaniswami later publicly told AIADMK Deputy General Secretary KP Munusamy that the party “will not support TVK under any circumstances”.Later that evening, the AIADMK MLAs were reportedly shifted to a resort in Puducherry and kept away from all contact amid fears of poaching attempts.
DMK AIADMK seeks tie-up to block Vijay, but allies move to TVK
DMK president on May 7 MK Stalin Talked to party legislators and directed them to abide by whatever decision the leadership ultimately takes amid the fluid post-election situation. During a meeting with alliance partners CPI, CPM and VCK on Thursday morning, Stalin expressed the idea of a DMK-backed government led by the AIADMK and reportedly sought their support to prevent TVK chief Vijay from assuming charge.According to alliance sources, Stalin urged allies not to break ties with the DMK suddenly, unlike the Congress, and remain within the alliance framework while talks continue. “He told allies not to take any action without informing him. He also said he would not stand in their way,” said a senior alliance leader. Later on Friday night, VC chief Thole Thirumabhavan met Stalin at his Cenotaph Road residence, to discuss a possible amicable separation.Although Stalin openly maintained that the DMK preferred to act as a strong opposition, intense backchannel negotiations continued behind the scenes to block Vijay’s path to power. However, the proposal failed to get unanimous support from the coalition partners.
