- Superstar Vijay has finally secured a majority after initial electoral struggles
- VCK has offered unconditional support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)
- VCK has not officially announced its support yet according to sources
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
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.
The next step is Vijay handing over the letters of support of all 118 MLAs to the governor and stake claim to the government. The governor shall then invite him to form the government.
The Coalition Math
The VCK's support adds two 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 two of the VCK's seats, the party's strength goes up to 118, which is the exact number of number of MLAs required to form 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.
Sources suggest three AIADMK MLAs have also rebelled and may join the TVK.
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 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.
