How will Vijay’s TVK cross the 118 mark? Congress, Left and PMK emerge as key players

Chennai: Actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) find themselves just short of a majority in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. With 107 seats secured, the party is 11 seats away from the halfway mark, raising questions over how it will gather the required support and whether the state could face a hung assembly.

As the single largest party, TVK is expected to receive an invitation from the governor to form the government, even if it begins as a minority administration. Sources said Vijay will leave for the TVK office at 10 am to meet the newly-elected MLAs. Party sources have also expressed confidence that external backing can be secured to bridge the gap.

Leaders within the party have indicated that support may come from parties currently aligned with DMK. These include the Indian National Congress, which has won five seats, along with the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), as well as the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), each of which has secured two seats.

A senior leader compared the situation to 2006, when a minority DMK government remained in power with outside support.

Possible cracks in DMK alliance

Such developments could lead to a reshaping of the DMK-led alliance. The Congress had earlier explored a potential alliance with TVK before the elections and used that possibility to negotiate a larger seat share from the DMK, reflecting tensions within the alliance.

Reports suggest that the Congress and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), which holds five seats, are open to supporting a TVK-led government. Both parties are said to be seeking two ministerial positions each as part of ongoing discussions.

Meanwhile, the Left parties are continuing internal deliberations and have not yet reached a final decision. The VCK and the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) are reportedly waiting for the complete results before taking a position.

Any direct engagement with the AIADMK appears unlikely due to its alliance with the BJP, which Vijay has described as his ideological opponent.

Confidence within TVK ranks

Rhevanth Charan, the 30-year-old Maduravoyal candidate of TVK who is set to become one of the youngest MLAs in the state, expressed optimism about government formation.

“There is no fear of instability. We will form the government,” Charan told NDTV. He added that decisions regarding alliances or external support would be taken by the party leadership, with clarity on government formation and key dates expected soon.

Historic debut strengthens TVK position

The current political scenario follows TVK’s strong debut performance in the elections. Vijay’s entry into electoral politics has seen the party emerge as the single largest force. He secured victories from both Perambur and Trichy East constituencies.

The party also made significant gains in Chennai, winning 14 out of 16 seats in an area long regarded as a stronghold of the DMK.

Swearing-in may take place soon

Sources indicate that the swearing-in ceremony could take place as early as May 7, even as negotiations continue behind the scenes to ensure that TVK crosses the majority threshold.

With agency inputs