Chennai: Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu on Thursday called for fresh Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu amid uncertainty over whether Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has the numbers required to form the government.

In a post on X, Vembu said the current political situation suggested that any government formed through post-election arrangements could face instability.

“The numbers don't seem to add up. Whatever government is cobbled together is likely to be unstable with various pulls and pressures,” he wrote, adding that Tamil Nadu “deserves better”.

Vembu said President’s Rule followed by fresh elections could be the best option for the state. He also stressed the need for strict enforcement against vote-buying during the election process.

“President's rule with fresh elections may be the best course, this time with a very strict ‘no cash for votes’ enforcement. Then we will see who has the real mandate,” he said.

The entrepreneur further claimed that Vijay could return with an even stronger mandate if elections were held again.

“I think Vijay will come back with a super majority and if the DMK-AIADMK want to stop that, let them fight together. The BJP should fight alone, even if it leads to zero seats, time for a fresh start for the BJP in TN. Let the people decide afresh,” Vembu added.

TVK falls short of majority mark

TVK, founded by Vijay just two years ago, emerged as the single largest party in the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections by winning 108 seats in the 234-member House. However, the party remains 10 seats short of the majority mark of 118.

To bridge the gap, Vijay has reportedly sought support from the Indian National Congress, which secured five seats, as well as the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), which won two seats each.

TVK representatives have also reportedly met Edappadi K Palaniswami, chief of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), at his residence in Chennai. AIADMK had contested the election in alliance with the BJP.

The party has additionally approached the BJP ally Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), which currently holds four seats.

Congress announces support

Among the parties approached by TVK, the Congress has already announced support to Vijay. The party stated that it was willing to back TVK because the proposed alliance did not include “communal forces that do not believe in the Constitution of India”.

However, the remaining parties have not yet officially declared their position.

Governor yet to take final call

On Wednesday, Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and formally staked claim to form the government.

Sources, however, indicated that no final decision has yet been taken regarding inviting Vijay to form the government or conducting the swearing-in ceremony. According to sources, the governor is not fully convinced about the level of support claimed by TVK.

Sources further said that TVK may require another one or two days to secure the backing necessary to form the government.

With agency inputs