All 108 TVK MLAs To Resign If DMK, AIADMK Try To Form Government: Sources

Actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam or TVK warned this evening that every MLA of the party will resign if either of the two Dravida parties -- MK Stalin's DMK or E Palaniswami's AIADMK -- try to stake claim to form government in Tamil Nadu, sources have said. The decision came on the heels of two crucial meetings in the DMK and AIADMK camps. The TVK now suspects that the two parties are colluding to form government in the state, cutting out the party that has got the popular vote. 

The TVK, which won 108 seats, argues that as the single-largest party, it should be invited by the Governor to form government. 

But earlier today, Governor RV Arlekar refused to allow Vijay to stake claim, saying he does not have the numbers. He also did not accept the plan Vijay had presented to reach the majority mark. Sources said the meet - the second in two days - ended with the Governor insisting that the actor-politician provide letters of support from 118 legislators.

A communique from Raj Bhavan said the Governor "explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the Government, has not been established". 

The TVK needs 10 more seats to hit the majority mark and already has the support of Congress, which has five MLAs. Talks are on with the Left and a few smaller parties for the balance of seats. The party, sources have said, is planning to go to court

Is DMK Planning An Alternate Government

The DMK held a meeting earlier today, where it passed four resolutions, one of them authorising party chief MK Stalin to take "emergency decisions". Regarding the resolution, the DMK said, "Our primary aim is to avert another election, to have a stable government and not give room to communal forces". 

Calling the lack of majority a "complicated crisis", the DMK has asked all its MLAs to remain in Chennai till May 10.

Top DMK sources, however, have confirmed to NDTV that a plan where E Palaniswami become Chief Minister with the outside support of DMK is being considered.

A section of younger leaders in the DMK - the camp of Udhayanidhi Stalin -- fear that Vijay, once he comes to power, will be like MG Ramachandran and it would be almost impossible to dislodge him. The legendary MGR had managed to keep the DMK out of power for as long as he was alive. 

The older leaders of the party - including MK Stalin - is still not convinced, sources said. They are worried about the public reaction to such an experiment that has two parties that locked horns for decades in the same boat -- and fear a massive backlash. 

AIADMK On Wait And Watch Mode

A similar step has been   taken by the AIADMK too, which, has asked its MLAs to wait and watch. A section within the party is eager for an alliance with the TVK, but the senior leaders of the party have firmly ruled it out.

This evening more than 45 MLAs attended the meeting with Palaniswami, who told the MLAs that there is no relation between TVK and AIADMK and there is no question of poaching at this point. The AIADMK asked its MLAs to be calm and wait for two more days.

Governor's Stance Upsets Parties

The Governor's stance has also upset TVK's prospective allies. 

The Tamil Nadu unit of CPI has urged the Governor to act in order of the Constitution and noted that it is "inappropriate" for him to ask Vijay to prove his majority before swearing in.

"As the single largest party, TVK must be given an opportunity by the Governor, in accordance with the Constitution, to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly. The Supreme Court of India has affirmed this principle in several judgments, including the SR Bommai case," the CPI said in a statement.

The chief of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi or VCK, Thol Thirumavalavan, said Vijay is seeking support because he has emerged as the single largest party in the state and should be allowed to take office after proving majority on the floor of the assembly. "The Governor cannot demand a list of people supporting TVK. He cannot say, 'Who is supporting you? Bring 118 and prove it to me, then come for the swearing-in ceremony'," he added.

The TVK has also been backed by the DMK. The outgoing party has called the Governor's decision "unacceptable" and "a disrespect" to the mandate. Fellow actor Kamal Haasan has also spoken up for Vijay.