Vijay's Numbers Nightmare Ends, VCK And IUML Extend Support

It's 'whistle podu' time at the TVK headquarters. Superstar Vijay's numbers nightmare has ended. The actor who struggled to hit the halfway mark after delivering a big electoral superhit earlier this week has finally secured the majority - paving the way for the first coalition government in Tamil Nadu and for Vijay to take oath as chief minister.

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), both having two MLAs each, have now extended their unconditional support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). With their backing, the TVK-led coalition's strength now reaches 120, past the 118-halfway mark. Live Updates

Vijay is meeting Governor Rajendra Arlekar and a time for oath-taking may be decided if he is convinced that the TVK has the numbers. Arlekar, who is also the governor of Kerala, was supposed to leave for the state around 7 pm, but cancelled that flight.

The VCK's letter of support, accessed by NDTV, says that the decision to back Vijay was to ensure a stable and democratic government in Tamil Nadu.

"Dr Thol Thirumavalavan, president of the TVK, on behalf of our two MLAs, hereby convey our support to the TVK, under the leadershup of its President and Legislature Party leader, Mr C Joseph Vijay, for the purpose of forming the government in the state of Tamil Nadu. This support...is being conveyed in the intest of ensuring stable and democratic governance for the people of Tamil Nadu. I request your Excellency to kindly take on record our unconditional support," reads the letter, signed by VCK's Legislature Party leader Vanni Arasu addressed to Governor RV Arlekar.

Confirming the support, VCK chief Thirumavalavan said "At present, we are focused on only one thing. We should not allow a situation to arise where we are unable to form a Vijay government. We should not allow President's rule to come into effect in Tamil Nadu. On this basis, standing outside and extending our support is an aid to forming a government."

Read: S Gurumurthy Flags Rookie Mistake By Vijay's TVK That Led To Tamil Nadu High Drama

The Coalition Math

The support from the VCK and IUML support adds four crucial seats to the TVK's tally. The Vijay-led coalition earlier had the support of 116 MLA-elects, including five from the Congress and four from the Left parties. Adding these four seats, the party's strength goes up to 120, which is two more than the number of MLAs required to form the government in the state. 

While the Left parties had extended unconditional support, the Congress' backing came with conditions. The Left opted out of Vijay's cabinet and sources said that Congress expected two ministries.

Stalin Welcomes Allies' Decision

DMK chief MK Stalin welcomed its allies VCK and Left parties' decision to back Vijay to avoid the government crisis.

"I welcome the announcement by our alliance comrades that "to avoid the current crisis, even if we express support for the Tamil Nadu Victory Federation to form the government, we continue in the DMK-led secular progressive alliance on the basis of policy," he said in an online post.

Drawing a comparison among its allies, he praised the VCK and Left for their "sense of camaraderie" but said the winning Congress MLAs severed ties with the DMK without communication. It had earlier called the Congress move to dump the DMK and tie up with the TVK "backstabbing."

Mixed Signals, Lack Of Clarity

Vijay made multiple rounds of the Lok Bhavan since Wednesday but failed to convince Governor Arlekar that he had the majority. Sources in the governor's office said that Vijay wasn't invited to form the government yesterday since he couldn't prove his majority. The governor, sources had said, insisted that he must provide the letters of support of 118 MLAs.

At the centre of this to-and-fro was a confusion: was the VCK on board? The VCK gave mixed signals. There was lack of clarity. This left Vijay's biggest political moment in limbo. Clarity finally emerged Saturday afternoon as visuals emerged of VCK chief Thirumavalavan and IUML leaders handing over their parties' letters of support to TVK leaders. 

Read: How VCK Kept Vijay, Tamil Nadu On Edge For 3 Days

TVK - A New Force

The TVK nonetheless remains the big story. Launched just two years ago, it emerged as the largest single party with 108 seats in the recent polls. The big mandate ended the Dravidian giants DMK and AIADMK's 62-year-old stranglehold on the state government. With Vijay winning two seats himself, the TVK currently has 107 MLAs.

The DMK was reduced to 59 seats while the AIADMK managed to win 47. The Congress won 5 and PMK 4. The VCK, IUML, CPI and CPM won two seat each, while the BJP, DMDK and AMMK won one each.