Chennai: In a significant political development ahead of the government formation process in Tamil Nadu, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) have extended support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), India Today reported on Friday.

CPI, following deliberations under its state secretary M Veerapandian, decided to extend support and accordingly gave an "unconditional letter of support for government formation," the Left party sources said. The letter was addressed to Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

Sources said the CPM State Committee have formally decided to back TVK. In addition, the two MLAs of the VCK are also expected to extend their support to the party. 

With the support of five Congress MLAs, the alliance’s tally has reached 113 in the 234-member Assembly, leaving it five short of the majority mark of 118, a gap expected to be bridged with the backing of the CPI, CPM and VCK. CPI, CPIM and VCK won two seats each in the polls.

All three parties will hold a press meeting by 4.30 pm to make the final announcement. Meanwhile, Vijay will meet TN Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Friday evening to discuss government formation, PTI reported. This would be his third meeting with the governor over staking the claim to form the government this week.

A source in the TVK said that during the meeting, Vijay is likely to present his case with regard to government formation.

Earlier today, CPI General Secretary D Raja emphasised that TVK, which emerged as the single largest party, should be allowed to form the government and said that Tamil Nadu Governor must abide by the "established conventions" in India's parliamentary democratic system.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday invited TVK's Vijay to Lok Bhavan, and explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the Government, has not been established.

Arlekar's not callling Vijay to form the government has drawn fiery remarks and allegations from its leaders.

Raja, however, refused to comment on the AIADMK-DMK tie-up buzz amid the delay over Tamil Nadu government formation.

"...We want the Governor to invite the single largest party, TVK, should be allowed to form the government...The Governor must follow the established practices and conventions in our parliamentary democratic system...I do not know whether AIADMK and DMK are coming together or not...As far as we are concerned, yes, people want the left also to come to power...," he told ANI.

Communist Party of India (CPI) State Secretary Binoy Viswam also said that the party will make a "correct" decision whether to extend support to TVK's Vijay to form a government in the State.

"Our party is in the process of decision making... We will make a correct decision today itself," he told ANI. A meeting is underway in Chennai. CPI, CPM, and VCK are holding a meeting in Chennai. Within two to three hours, we can come to a conclusion and a decision. Our party's national executive will meet here in Delhi."

He was responding to whether his party will support TVK or go with DMK.