Chennai : A day after his blockbuster political debut delivered 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, TVK chief Vijay is meeting his MLAs at his Pattinampakkam residence in Chennai to finalise Cabinet formation. The meeting is also expected to discuss potential alliances, as the party has fallen short of the simple majority mark by 10 seats. Sources said discussions are underway on forming a coalition government.
The development comes amid growing speculation that the Congress and several smaller parties could join hands with the TVK to form a government. According to sources, the actor-politician is exploring talks with the Congress, Left parties, and other smaller regional outfits, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), CPI(M), CPI, and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), to secure numbers for a coalition arrangement. Invitations to these parties are expected to be sent soon.
The Congress, VCK, CPI, CPI(M) and IUML are currently part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA). In the April 23 polls, the Congress won five seats, while IUML, CPI, CPI(M) and VCK secured two seats each in the 234-member Assembly. If the Congress and its allies decide to align with the TVK, Vijay’s party would comfortably cross the majority mark required to form the government. The DMK has expressed confidence that the VCK and Left parties will not break away to join a Vijay-led coalition.
The DMK’s cautious response comes amid reports that the Congress is exploring its options following the election results. Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil told India Today TV that the party would take a considered and collective decision, keeping Tamil Nadu’s interests foremost. At least five of the MLAs have played a major role in helping the TVK break the duopoly of the two Dravidian behemoths, DMK and AIADMK.
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