Operation 118: Vijay Meets TVK MLAs at Panaiyur; Will the 'Thalapathy' Wave Bridge the Magic Number?

Actor-politician Vijay arrived at the Panaiyur headquarters of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Wednesday to hold discussions with newly elected MLAs amid intense political activity over government formation in Tamil Nadu.

Party workers and legislators gathered at the Panaiyur office remained hopeful that Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar would invite the TVK to form the next government after the party emerged as the single largest force in the Assembly elections.

However, the Governor has reportedly asked Vijay to first demonstrate majority support before any formal invitation is extended.

Governor Asks Vijay to Show Support of 118 MLAs

According to sources, Vijay met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai shortly after staking claim to form the government on the evening of May 6.

The Governor is understood to have insisted on written proof of support from at least 118 MLAs, the halfway mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.

TVK won 108 seats in the election, falling short of the majority mark by 10 MLAs despite emerging as the single largest party.

Complicating the numbers further, Vijay was elected from two constituencies and will eventually have to vacate one seat. In addition, one TVK MLA is expected to become Speaker, reducing the party's effective voting strength during confidence proceedings except in the event of a tie.

Congress Backs TVK, Alliance Reaches 111 Seats

The Congress, which secured five seats as part of the DMK-led alliance, has now announced support to the TVK, ending its alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam after more than two decades.

With Congress support, the TVK-led bloc's strength rises to 111 MLAs, still leaving the alliance seven members short of a clear majority.

Sources within Congress indicated that the party could receive two Cabinet berths if a coalition government led by Vijay takes office.

Congress Lays Down Conditions for Support

Congress leaders have also outlined conditions attached to their support.

AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar described the understanding between Congress and TVK as an alliance based on "mutual respect, appropriate share and shared responsibility".

According to the party, the arrangement is expected to continue beyond immediate government formation and may extend to future local body, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections.

Congress also stated that support would depend on the TVK keeping "communal forces" out of the alliance framework.

The statement further referred to the ideals of K. Kamaraj, Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and B. R. Ambedkar as guiding principles for the proposed coalition.

AIADMK Denies Support Rumours

Meanwhile, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has denied reports suggesting it may support a TVK-led government.

Senior AIADMK leader K. P. Munusamy said speculation regarding outside support to Vijay's party was "not true".

The AIADMK-led alliance currently holds 53 seats in the Assembly.

Smaller Parties Yet to Decide

Several smaller parties aligned with the DMK have confirmed being approached by the TVK leadership for support.

Leaders from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, each of which has two MLAs, acknowledged receiving communication from TVK but said decisions would be taken only after internal discussions.

The Indian Union Muslim League, another DMK ally with two MLAs-elect, has already ruled out supporting the TVK.

Political Focus Shifts to Majority Numbers

With the Governor insisting on proof of majority and negotiations continuing behind the scenes, the focus has now shifted entirely to the numbers required for government formation.

The 16th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly was formally dissolved by Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on May 5, paving the way for constitution of the new House.

As political discussions intensify, all eyes remain on whether Vijay can gather the additional support needed to cross the majority mark and form the next government in Tamil Nadu.