Chennai: Amid uncertainties owing to a fractured Assembly polls verdict, rare possibilities are perhaps taking shape in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape over the new government formation. Speculations are abuzz over a possible political realignment between long-time rivals DMK and AIADMK.
The buzz around a potential understanding between the two Dravidian majors gathered momentum amid efforts to prevent actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) from forming the government. While leaders from both parties publicly avoided confirming any alliance talks, various media reports suggested internal discussions were underway as the political deadlock deepened.
On Tamil Nadu government formation, DMK MP Kanimozhi emphasized on people’s decision and called to respect it.
“It is people’s mandate, and in democracy, what people decide is supreme. Unfortunately, it is not a very clear mandate, but whatever it is, we have to respect it,” she told PTI.
Reacting to reports of AIADMK and DMK alliance, she said: “It’s a speculation. We cannot respond to speculation. I belong to DMK; I cannot be answering for what the AIADMK says.”
According to reports, DMK is ready to extend outside support to an AIADMK-led government. But it is unlikely to participate directly in the ministry, sources told NDTV. DMK, however, has sought ministerial berths for its alliance partners, including VCK.
The DMK has reportedly asked all its MLAs to remain in Chennai till May 10. Top DMK sources, confirmed to NDTV, that a plan where E Palaniswami as Chief Minister with the outside support of DMK was being considered.
VCK leaders are believed to be engaging with Communists on behalf of the DMK to garner support for an AIADMK. Communists may choose to refrain from supporting either side. They are expected to declare their decision later in the day, particularly in view of the reported DMK-AIADMK understanding.
‘Can’t tie-up with a communal party…’
Sources, as cited in an India TV report, said after the resort meeting, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami urged party MLAs to remain united and hinted that “good news” was en-route. According to reports, the DMK had apparently asked AIADMK to exit NDA alliance as it cannot tie-up with any “Communal Party.”
At the same time, a section of Communist leaders, as per the NDTV report, is said to be lobbying internally in favour of extending support to TVK.
Earlier in the day, CPI MP Sandosh had said that the single-largest party must be invited for forming government in the state. “CPI has made its position very clear that the single largest party must be invited to form the government. Had it been the BJP, what would have been the approach of this Governor? In many other states, the single largest party has been invited to form the government. So, the first things should come first,” he said, as quoted by HT.
Will smaller parties support Vijay?
The Assembly election produced a hung House, with Vijay’s TVK emerging as the single largest party after winning 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly. However, the party fell short of the majority mark of 118 seats.
Congress support reportedly pushed the TVK-led bloc close to the halfway mark, but the alliance still required backing from smaller parties including the CPI, CPM and VCK to comfortably stake claim to power.
CPI leaders confirmed receiving a letter from TVK seeking support for what Vijay described as a “progressive government”.
Meanwhile, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan on Friday said that the party would convene a meeting to discuss the current political situation, including an invitation from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) seeking support for government formation.
The uncertainty escalated after Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar reportedly declined to immediately invite Vijay to form the government, asking the TVK leadership to first demonstrate majority support. The Governor’s stand triggered protests by TVK workers outside Lok Bhavan in Chennai, where party cadres demanded that Vijay be allowed to prove his majority on the Assembly floor.
Congress leaders strongly backed TVK’s claim to form the government and accused the Governor of delaying the process. The party argued that constitutional convention required the single largest party to be given the first opportunity to prove majority in the Assembly.
Amid the intense negotiations, sources told India Today that TVK warned of mass resignations by its MLAs if rival parties attempted to form the government through post-poll arrangements.
