Tamil Nadu government formation highlights: ‘Under no circumstances,’ says AIADMK on post-poll alliance with TVK

Tamil Nadu government formation LIVE: The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee on Wednesday extended its full support to Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the government, while making it clear that the backing would be conditional on keeping out any “communal forces” that do not believe in the Constitution of India.

“Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) has decided to extend its full support to the TVK to form the government. Our support shall be conditional upon the TVK keeping out from this alliance any communal forces that do not believe in the Constitution of India. This alliance between the TVK and the Tamil Nadu Congress will strive to bring back Perunthalaivar Kamaraj’s glory days of Tamil Nadu, with a strong commitment to Thanthai Periyar’s social justice ideals and Dr BR Ambedkar’s constitutional ideals in the years and decades to come: Congress”

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: With confirmation of a Congress-TVK alliance still awaited, the Opposition AIADMK was also thrown into the mix, with the party spokesperson's remarks generating buzz of another alliance. “The majority decision will be taken by the high command. If he has to turn the dream into reality, it has to come from Mr Vijay's side,” said spokesperson Kovai Sathyan when asked if the AIADMK would ally with the TVK.

However, the possible decision to form an alliance with Vijay's party may not be unanimous within the AIADMK. DMK spokesperson Kanimozhi NVN Somu told news agency ANI that the around 22 AIADMK legislators may be splitting from the party and joining the TVK. “I won't be surprised if AIADMK gives an unconditional offer to TVK to form the government," she said.

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: It has been two days since results of Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu were announced. The clock is ticking in the southern state as despite a big debut, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has failed to cross the majority mark of 118.

Buzz of a possible post-poll alliance intensified in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday as Congress state in-charge Girish Chodankar confirmed that the party received a letter from the TVK. A day before, Congress MP KC Venugopal also said that Vijay's party reached out, seeking support.

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: Congress leaders hail the party leadership ahead of party meeting following Tamil Nadu election results. As per the party sources, Congress has extended support to TVK in the state.

The party's state incharge, Girish Chodankar, is set to address the media shortly.

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: Amid ongoing speculation about a possible post-poll alliance between Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and Congress in Tamil Nadu, Congress state in-charge Girish Chodankar confirmed on Wednesday that the party has received a letter from TVK.

Speaking to reporters, Chodankar said the letter was discussed by party leaders in New Delhi and that a detailed update would be shared at a joint press conference. He added that the briefing would include the PCC President, CLP leaders, and newly elected MLAs.

"We have called a press conference jointly by our PCC President, CLP leaders, and newly elected MLAs. At that time, we will talk to you in detail and brief you on the details of how we are moving forward. Everything will be updated at 11 o'clock at the Satyamurthy Bhawan. The party called everyone today; they have given the letter to our Congress President, Mr. Khargeji. That letter was discussed yesterday in Delhi. Everything will be discussed when we go together at 11 o'clock," said Chodankar.

-ANI

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: Amid buzzing speculations that the AIADMK might extend its support to Vijay's TVK to form the government, TVK leader N. Anand was seen departing from the residence of AIADMK's Edappadi K. Palaniswami after meeting him.

AIADMK MLA-elect Leemarose Martin on Tuesday claimed that the party's general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami was in talks to provide support to TVK led by actor-turned politician Vijay to form a stable government in Tamil Nadu, PTI reported.

When asked whether 30 party MLAs, including him, are in favour of supporting Vijay's TVK to form government, AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam said, “I am single person.”

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: Preparations underway at Nehru Indoor Stadium for TVK leader Vijay's swearing-in ceremony likely to be held on May 7.

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: On being asked if the party would support TVK in forming the government, AIADMK National Spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said that the “ball is in Vijay's court," adding that he has to take a “concious” decision.

"The ball is in Mr Vijay's court, and he has to take a conscious decision," said Sathyan.

"The ball is in Mr Vijay's court, and he has to take a conscious decision whether he wants to complete the 5-year term or try to do some exercises of taking many more parties into confidence. The Governor has asked for clarity on the number of MLAs in the TVK camp. Developments are happening."

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai and All India Congress Tamil Nadu In-charge Krish Sodagar to meet press today (May 6) shortly at Chennai, Satyamurthy Bhavan.

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: On Congress alliance with TVK, MP Manickam Tagore said, "We were part of DMK alliance but people rejected the ruling government and those who said power-sharing in government is not possible."

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: Congress Member of Parliament Manickam Tagore on Tuesday signalled optimism after the recently concluded assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, asserting that "victory is certain and even in defeat, there is no failure."

Tagore, in a post on X, wrote, "Victory is certain! Victory is certain! Even in defeat, there is no failure -- it's with us! Bharathiyar."

Meanwhile, the fissure in the INDIA alliance has come out in the open, with one of the longest-standing alliances between the Congress and the DMK now at breaking point after the Congress gave its assent to support a Vijay-led government in Tamil Nadu.

-ANI

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: Following the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections results, 108 victorious TVK MLAs, including those from distant regions, have been housed in a private luxury resort in Mamallapuram on Wednesday.

The arrangement comes after a meeting with party leader Vijay. To ensure security, a heavy police presence has been deployed around the resort, with increased surveillance in place.

Over 50 MLAs are currently staying at the Four Points Star hotel in Poonjeri, Mamallapuram, and more TVK MLAs are expected to arrive through the day. The party continues to strategise post-election developments.

-ANI

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: On TVK chief Vijay, Congress leader Sama Rammohan Reddy says, “Congratulations to the TVK chief Vijay, who is likely to take oath tomorrow as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. We are happy to extend our support to TVK and contribute to his post. Once again, it is proven that the entire Tamil Nadu is against the ideology of the BJP... it is a strong signal that South India, especially. Tamil Nadu and Kerala will not fall prey to the hatred politics of the BJP.”

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: Security tightened outside TVK leader Vijay's residence in Neelankarai.

Majority mark in Assembly: 118 seats

TVK tally: 112 seats (TVK-107, Congress - 5)

DMK alliance: 73 seats

AIADMK-led NDA: 53 seats

TVK short by: 6 seats for majority

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: TVK has lodged its 108 MLAs-elect at a hotel in Chengalpattu, Mahabalipuram, as it tries to garner support from other parties to gain majority for government formation

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: On Congress's decision to support TVK, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said, “We wish good luck to Vijay when he takes oath on 7th May. Congress has offered its support to the TVK, and that is why we called it backstabbing…”

"The Congress has decided to flip sides and support the TVK, and the reasons cited by them are not convincing. They say they want to keep the BJP and the RSS at bay, and that is why this call should be made... This is a full-hearted decision by the Congress, which is likely to send ripples across the country in the sense that there are other alliance partners. If Congress is going to be so untrustworthy, just within a day of the results, they are openly going against the mandate. What impact will it create in the minds of Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray and all the others? We have never failed the Congress..."

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: TVK leader Vijay has won in both constituencies he contested--Perambur in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli East. As per the election commission rule, he will have to resign from one of these seats. TVK sources said that the leader is likely to surrender the Tiruchirappalli assembly seat.

If Vijay does so, the party's total tally of seats will decrease by one.

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: As Vijay is expected to visit Lok Bhavan today (May 6) to meet the governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to stake claim to form government, the governor is expected to offer the TVK two options.

First, he may summon the TVK chief and instruct him to demonstrate his majority on the floor of the legislative assembly. Alternatively, he might ask Vijay to gather letters of support from "allied" parties and submit them to him.

-PTI

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)'s MLA-elect, VS Babu, who defeated the outgoing CM MK Stalin in Kolathur constituency, attributed the victory to party chief Vijay and a local connection.

Touching upon the anti-incumbency factor, VS Babu said that his win came in the backdrop of people's desire for change in Tamil Nadu.

He told ANI on Tuesday, "I have won only with our leader. Our leader's face is the face of Tamil Nadu. People wanted a change, and they have changed this. I was born and brought up in that area. We know the pulse of people. It's we who made him (MK Stalin) enter Kolathur. He doesn't know anyone in Kolathur. Whether he is CM or MLA, he should mingle with the local people first. People are watching it."

-ANI

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: To form the government, TVK is expected to seek support from smaller parties, including Congress, PMK, Left parties, CPI(M), and VCK, which could push it past the majority threshold.

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: The Congress has agreed to support superstar-turned-politician Vijay’s TVK, taking its tally to 113. However, to reach the majority mark of 118, Vijay would still need five more seats.

Tamil Nadu government formation news LIVE: Congress' Political Affairs Committee on Wednesday unanimously decided to support TVK Leader Thiru Vijay to form a secular government.

The party said that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government and it is determined not to "have BJP and its proxies" run the government in the southern state.