Chennai, May 8 (IANS) The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), founded by actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay, moved a step closer to forming the next government in Tamil Nadu on Friday after the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist) (CPI-M), on Friday extended unconditional support to it in the wake of the fractured Assembly election verdict.
With the support of the two Left parties, the TVK has now secured the backing of nine additional MLAs — five from the Congress, and two each from the CPI and the CPI-M.
Vijay’s party, which contested the elections independently, had emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, including the seat won by Vijay himself.
The party now requires the support of two more MLAs to cross the crucial majority mark of 118 and stake a claim to form the government.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference in Chennai by CPI state Secretary M. Veerapandian and CPI-M state Secretary P. Shanmugam.
Both leaders clarified that their parties, which were part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance – along with the Congress- would not join a possible TVK-led Cabinet and would instead extend support from outside.
The Left leaders stressed that they “will not be part of the Cabinet” and their “support is only to ensure that a democratic government is formed” and at the same time, they will continue to stand with the DMK in “opposing communal forces and in protecting the rights of Tamil Nadu”.
The political developments came amid mounting tension over government formation in the state. Earlier in the day, Congress cadres staged statewide protests against Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar after he declined Vijay’s request to form the government, reportedly asking him to return only after demonstrating the support of 118 MLAs.
Soon after the Left parties declared support for TVK, outgoing Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin urged Governor Arlekar to act in accordance with constitutional norms and facilitate the formation of a new government without delay.
Meanwhile, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), also in the SPA, is also expected to support TVK. The party has repeatedly indicated that it would take a decision in line with the stand adopted by the Left parties, raising the possibility of Vijay securing the remaining numbers required to form the government.
–IANS
aal/vd