Tamil Nadu govt formation news HIGHLIGHTS: VCK keeps TVK on edge, Vijay unlikely to take oath today

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Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: VCK leader Vanni Arasu on Saturday indicated that the party would play a crucial role in the ongoing government formation process in Tamil Nadu.

In a post on X, the VCK deputy general secretary said, “even if one tries to marginalise or alienate us, we will emerge as a central force”.

The cryptic remark is being viewed as a signal that VCK sees itself as a key deciding factor in the current political numbers game, with TVK still short of the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar dismissed speculation that Congress MLAs from Tamil Nadu had been shifted to resorts in Bengaluru or Hyderabad amid the ongoing government formation drama in the state.

Shivakumar said, “It is all false. No MLAs have come to Eagleton Resort; that is completely untrue,” ANI reported.

“If the party high command says anything, then it is okay. The party high command has not spoken to me. If they speak, it is a different issue,” he added.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: Police deployed at VCK office, Ashok Nagar, Chennai, as TVK chief Vijay is expected to arrive here to meet VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: The VCK is expected to formally announce its support for the TVK on Saturday.

VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan had earlier indicated that the party would adopt the Left parties' stand, reported news agency PTI. Both the CPI and CPI (M) have already extended support to the Vijay-led TVK in the government formation process.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: Thol Thirumavalavan is set to hold a meeting with senior leaders of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi on Saturday to discuss the party’s stand on extending support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam for government formation in Tamil Nadu, reported ANI.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: Speaking in Chennai, TVK state women wing coordinator Dr Spoorthi Arun said that talks between the two parties were still underway and expressed confidence that a partnership between TVK and VCK would create a “very strong support system”.

“Given our (VCK and TVK) ideologies are on the same lines, I think it is a very strong support system if both parties come together,” she said, reported ANI.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: Visuals show heightened security at Lok Bhavan amid Tamil Nadu government formation drama. Visuals from Lok Bhavan showed heavy security deployment on Saturday.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: Tamil superstar Vijay is now just one seat short of the majority mark needed to form the next government in Tamil Nadu.

The TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the Assembly election after winning 108 seats in the 234-member House.

TVK currently has the support of:

• 5 Congress MLAs
• 2 CPI MLAs
• 2 CPI(M) MLAs

This takes the total strength of the Vijay-led bloc to 117 MLAs. A simple majority in the Assembly requires 118 seats.

The focus has now shifted to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which has two MLAs. If VCK formally extends support, TVK would comfortably cross the majority mark and strengthen Vijay’s claim to form the government.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: Fresh political drama unfolded in Tamil Nadu after TTV Dhinakaran accused the TVK of submitting a “forged” support letter to TN Governor.

“A letter was issued in support of TVK by my MLA Kamaraj. We are all shocked that I got an appointment with the Governor and I showed the real letter that I got from our CM candidate Edappadi Palaniswami,” news agency ANI quoted Dhinakaran as saying.

He further claimed that a letter allegedly showing support from the Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam for Vijay’s TVK was fake and said he personally visited Lok Bhavan to present what he called the “real” letter backing AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami.

“I came to know that TVK submitted a forged xerox copy of the letter and the Governor asked for the original one... This is forgery... We are going to file a criminal complaint now,” he added.

He further said AMMK would continue efforts to gather support from other parties and stake claim to form the government.

However, TVK rejected the allegations and termed them “misinformation”. The party shared a video purportedly showing AMMK leader Kamaraj extending support to TVK’s government formation bid.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Friday alleged that political rivals were trying to stop Vijay from becoming the chief minister despite what he described as a clear public mandate in favour of the TVK.

In a post on X, Tagore said, “Those who were defeated by the people are once again rearing their heads and attempting to prevent Mr Vijay from becoming Chief Minister. How many more obstacles are they going to create against the people's democratic choice?”

He further added, “Power may delay the people's verdict, but it can never suppress it forever. This struggle for the people's rights and justice will continue.”

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: The X account of the VCK was suspended on Friday, with the platform citing “violation of X rules”.

The suspension came shortly after a purported social media post claiming VCK support for TVK and its efforts to form a coalition government in the state.

The Vijay-led TVK, which emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the Assembly election, has been reaching out to smaller parties to cross the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member House.

VCK, which won two seats in the election, is being seen as a crucial player in the numbers game.

However, the party has not yet officially announced support for Vijay or the proposed coalition government.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: CPI (M) state secretary P Shanmugam on Friday said the CPI(M) and CPI decided to extend support to TVK to avoid delays in government formation and prevent the possibility of President’s Rule in the state.

Addressing reporters, the state secretary said the parties also wanted to ensure that the BJP does not enter Tamil Nadu “through the back door”.

“Joseph Vijay has written a letter to both parties. Since if the government is not formed by the 10th, then President’s Rule will come. And the BJP is trying to enter Tamil Nadu through the back door. So, to end this, CPI and CPI(M) have decided to support TVK,” Shanmugam said.

Shanmugam further clarified that the Left parties would remain outside the government and were extending support only to ensure stable governance and avoid a fresh election.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has now emerged as the key player in Tamil Nadu’s government formation battle as actor-turned-politician Vijay races to secure the numbers needed for a majority.

With TVK and its confirmed supporters [Congress, CPI, CPI (M)] effectively sitting at 117 MLAs in the 234-member Assembly, the support of VCK’s two legislators could push the Vijay-led bloc past the halfway mark of 118.

While Left parties have publicly indicated that VCK would back the same decision taken by them, the party had not issued an official statement till Saturday morning, keeping the suspense alive.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: The tenure of the 16th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly ends on May 10, leaving very little time for parties to complete the government formation process.

As the single-largest party, TVK is expected to get the first opportunity to form the government if it can show majority support.

The Vijay-led party currently remains short of the 118-seat mark needed in the 234-member Assembly. If it fails to prove majority, Governor Rajendra Arlekar may explore other options, including inviting an alternative alliance led by the DMK or the AIADMK.

However, if no party or alliance is able to demonstrate majority support, the state could move towards President’s Rule.

In such a situation, the Governor may recommend central rule in the state, which could eventually lead to the dissolution of the Assembly and fresh elections within six months.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: The fractured mandate has triggered intense political speculation in the state, including talk of a possible understanding between rivals Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

The DMK won 59 seats while the AIADMK secured 47.

On Friday, the Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam backed AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and urged the Governor to invite the AIADMK to form the government.

AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran said the party’s lone MLA-elect supported that position.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: TVK has emerged as the single-largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly with 108 seats, but the party is still short of the majority mark needed to form the government.

The Vijay-led party (108) currently has the support of five Congress MLAs (05) along with two legislators each from the CPI and CPI(M), taking the alliance tally to 118.

However, Vijay won from two constituencies and will have to vacate one seat within 14 days after the election notification. That effectively keeps the grouping at 117 members for now — one short of the halfway mark in the 234-member Assembly.

The support of the VCK is now being closely watched. If the VCK’s two MLAs formally back TVK, the alliance strength would go up to 118, giving the bloc a slender majority in the House.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: Political uncertainty in Tamil Nadu intensified on Friday as actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay met Governor Rajendra Arlekar for the third time in as many days amid hectic government formation efforts.

The developments come as Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam continued to edge closer to the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly, fuelling speculation over whether the party is preparing to stake claim to form the government.

However, there was no official communication from Raj Bhavan by Friday evening. People aware of the developments said the Governor was yet to be convinced that the TVK had the numbers needed to prove a majority in the House.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: The DMK had reportedly suggested that the Left parties extend outside support to an AIADMK-led government, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary MA Baby said on Friday.

However, the Left did not agree to the idea and instead chose to back actor-turned-politician Vijay’s TVK, he added.

Explaining the stand, Baby told HT, “DMK wanted us to support the AIADMK government. But it would have been an opportunistic alliance,” making it clear that the proposal was not acceptable to the Left parties.

He further said the DMK’s reported plan also involved the AIADMK approaching the Governor to stake claim to form the government.

The remarks come at a time when there is growing speculation about possible political realignments in Tamil Nadu after a hung House scenario. The discussion around a potential understanding between the state’s two Dravidian majors has been doing the rounds in political circles.

After its electoral setback earlier this week, the DMK has already indicated that it will sit in the Opposition benches.

Meanwhile, the Left parties have also ruled out joining any government formation for now.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Friday rejected AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran's claims over the party's MLA-elect Kamaraj's letter extending support to Vijay for a coalition government in Tamil Nadu.

Dhinakaran rushed to Lok Bhavan on Friday to deliver a letter to Governor Rajendra Arlekar, in a bid to correct the record after a "forged" letter went viral, claiming AMMK's support for Vijay's TVK. However, TVK refuted the "forged letter" claim and shared a video, saying that AMMK leader Kamaraj had backed the party to form a government.

TVK further accused Dhinakaran of spreading misinformation while concealing facts related to the matter.

The party, which won 108 seats in the polls and fell short of the majority mark of 118 seats, asserted that it did not need to "bargain or negotiate" with anyone for support.

"These are the visuals of AMMK MLA Kamaraj voluntarily and happily writing a letter expressing his support for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. He had stated that he was extending support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam with the approval of AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran," TVK stated.

It further said, "However, the information now being spread that he did not write the letter is completely false and contrary to the truth. It is essential for everyone to clearly understand this. Concealing all these facts, TTV Dhinakaran is continuing to spread false news and misinformation. The public should understand that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has no need to bargain or negotiate with anyone."

Earlier, Dhinakaran claimed the letter supporting TVK is a case of "horse trading" and forgery. He reaffirmed that AMMK's lone MLA-elect, Kamaraj S, remains loyal to the NDA and AIADMK. Dhinakaran officially backed AIADMK's Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) for the CM post, calling him the alliance's rightful candidate.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran on Friday rejected claims that his party had backed Vijay-led TVK and said the party remains part of the NDA.

Dhinakaran dismissed reports carried by a section of the media which claimed that the party’s lone MLA-designate, S Kamaraj from the Mannargudi Assembly constituency, had extended support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

He said Kamaraj is currently staying at a resort in Puducherry along with the AIADMK’s newly elected members.

The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary said in a post on X that the party stands firm on continuing its association with the National Democratic Alliance.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: A violent clash broke out between DMK and Congress workers in Tamil Nadu's Mayiladuthurai on Friday, leading to party flags being torn down and thrown onto the streets.

The confrontation reportedly began after the Congress walked out of the DMK-led alliance and backed TVK in the formation of the government in Tamil Nadu.

Workers from both sides were reportedly seen shouting slogans and engaging in heated exchanges. Police stepped in to stop the situation from worsening further.

(With PTI inputs)

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: Terming his party's decision to ally with the TVK in Tamil Nadu "dreadful", veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Friday said it was "politics of expediency" and an "unforgivable violation" of Mahatma Gandhi's 1925 maxim that 'Swaraj should be a government based on morality'.

Speaking with PTI, Aiyar said that such "politics of expediency" is not the way forward.

"This is an unforgivable violation of Mahatma Gandhi's 1925 maxim, 'Swaraj should be a government based on morality'," Aiyar said.

"In November 1925, about a hundred years ago, Mahatma Gandhi laid down the injunction in his Gujarati magazine 'Navjivan' that Swaraj should mean government by morality. It is this injunction that has been violated by the Congress --Mahatma Gandhi's party -- in its recent decision to jump ship and join the TVK after having opposed the TVK in the last election," the former MP from Tamil Nadu's Mayiladuturai said.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: Outgoing chief minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin on Friday urged Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to immediately take necessary steps to ensure a new government is formed as per the Constitution.

"It is not only the need of the hour but also the most important task of democracy to form a new government so that the elected members of the Legislative Assembly can take the oath of office and take forward the welfare of the state," Stalin, who is the president of DMK, said on 'X.'

"Hence, in order to avoid any delay in the government formation, on behalf of the DMK, I request the Governor to immediately take necessary steps to form a new government as per the Constitution," he said.

Tamil Nadu govt formation news LIVE: AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran visited the office of the assistant commissioner of police in the Guindy range.

The visit came after Dhinakaran alleged that TVK had sent a "forged copy" of MLA Kamaraj’s letter to the governor. He also said he was filing a criminal complaint over the issue.

Meanwhile, TVK released a video of the MLA saying he had "voluntarily and happily" written the letter backing TVK "with the approval of the AMMK General Secretary".