Top News

Speaking on May 7, Shankar praised Vijay’s decisive win in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, describing it as “a vote against the misrule.” She also defended the Governor’s decision and noted that no party desires another election in Tamil Nadu.

“Congratulations to Vijay and the TVK for this resounding mandate that the people of Tamil Nadu have given him. It is not just a vote for Vijay, it’s also a vote against the misrule… I think the governor is sticking to the safest points of the law and the safest elements of the Constitution. Nobody wants another election to happen in Tamil Nadu, including the DMK, AIADMK and anybody who lost, including the Congress,” she said.

The remarks followed Governor Arlekar’s statement earlier that day, in which he said that TVK had not established the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly to form a government.

An official release from Lok Bhavan, Tamil Nadu, explained: “Thiru Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, has invited Thiru C. Joseph Vijay. President, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, today (May 7) to Lok Bhavan, Chennai.”

“During the meeting, the Hon’ble Governor explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the Government, has not been established,” the statement added.

TVK has staked a claim to form the government with Congress MLAs’ support but remains short of the majority threshold of 118 seats in the 234-member Assembly.

TVK Joint General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar and party members met Communist Party of India (CPI) leaders at the CPI office in Chennai on May 7 to discuss support for forming the government.

Speaking to the media, Nirmal Kumar said both TVK and CPI would hold internal meetings to consider extending support and would announce their decision afterwards. He emphasized that the party does not intend to approach any NDA parties and stated that TVK’s principle is that every allied party for which people voted should “have a role in government.”

Earlier, CPI leader Veerapandiyan confirmed that Vijay had formally sought CPI support to form a “progressive government.” He added that an emergency state executive committee meeting had been called for May 8 to discuss the matter and decide on extending support.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol. Thirumavalavan had requested Governor Arlekar to invite TVK Chief Vijay to form the government and prove majority on the Assembly floor.

Speaking to regional media, Thirumavalavan accused the BJP of interfering in state politics and causing confusion. He stated his party would soon determine its stance after receiving Vijay’s letter seeking support.

In the Assembly elections, TVK won 108 seats and Congress secured five, bringing their alliance to 112 seats, still five short of the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Assembly.