Chennai: A day after TVK’s electoral success unseated the DMK from power, M K Stalin on Tuesday resigned as Chief Minister, asserting that his party will function effectively in the opposition, even as TVK chief Vijay expressed confidence of forming government despite short on numbers.
Vijay’s remarks assume significance in the wake of TVK being 10 short of the simple majority to form government, as it has only 108 members in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Meanwhile, the TVK has made arrangements for its legislators from the districts to stay in a resort in nearby Mamallapuram to participate in the swearing in ceremony of Vijay planned on May 7, a source in the party said. May 7 was also the day when Stalin assumed charge as Chief Minister in 2021.
Tuesday turned into a hectic day for Vijay, as he made an appearance at the party headquarters, exchanged greetings with the MLA designates and assured of government formation, a source said.
A source in the Congress, a major constituent of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, said Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has sent feelers seeking the grand old party’s support in government formation.
On a day of rapid development, Vijay staked claim to form the government informing Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, that the party had secured 108 seats, and being the single largest, it should be invited to form the government.
“We request an opportunity to demonstrate our majority,” Vijay had said in an e-mail communication to the governor, a source in the TVK said.
“The decision on extending support to TVK will be made by the Congress high command,” a Congress senior leader said and indicated that many in the TNCC unit wanted a berth for the party MLAs. The Congress has won five seats in the April 23 election held for all the 234 Assembly constituencies in the state.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Stalin stepped down after his DMK faced defeat in the April 23 Assembly elections. The governor accepted his resignation and his council of ministers, the Lok Bhavan said on Tuesday.
He requested the CM to continue in office till alternative arrangements are in place.
Stalin has said that the DMK would function as a robust opposition party.
This will be the first time in Tamil Nadu that a party will assume power a little over two years after its founding in February 2024.
Confirming that Vijay had mentioned about ”good news soon to follow,” TVK legislator from R K Nagar, N Marie Wilson insisted that the meeting of MLAs was basically to greet their party founder and thank him for the victory.
Asked if the size of the cabinet to be formed and how the party would meet the shortfall of 10 MLAs to form the government, Wilson told reporters that “it will all be decided by the party leadership.”
A source in the party said the MLAs unanimously elected Vijay as TVK legislature party leader.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters here, VCK founder Thirumavalavan said “I can say that through the verdict, the people of Tamil Nadu have given a mandate for a coalition government in future. This is a fact which we should realise. There’s no absolute majority for TVK to form the government on its own. It needs support from other parties.”
His party was still with the DMK-led SPA and for secularism he said and added “so we will continue (the ties) with the DMK for the welfare of the TN people.”
Asked if he was open to invitation from TVK, Thirumavalavan replied “we have no such idea. We are not expecting any invitation. We thank the people for giving the verdict against the communal forces.”
