Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay emerged as a giant-slayer when his two-year-old party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) upstaged giants DMK, the ruling party, and AIADMK in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
However, though TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats, it fell 10 short of the majority mark, with DMK bagging 59 and DMK 47.
It is a hung assembly, and Vijay needs support from other parties to stake claim to form the government.
A day after Vijay’s father urged political parties like Congress to join forces with TVK, Vijay sought the grand old party’s support to form the government.
Confirming the development, senior Congress leader KC Venugopal said that TV
K president Vijay has requested Indian National Congress for support to form a government in Tamil Nadu.
“INC is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular govt, committed to protecting the constitution in letter and spirit. The INC is determined not to have the BJP and proxies run the govt of Tamil Nadu in any manner,” Congress general secretary (Organisation) Venugopal said.
He further said the central leadership has directed the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee to take a final decision on Vijay’s request, “keeping in view the sentiments of the state reflected in the electoral verdict.”
Congress won 5 seats, so even if they agree to Vijay’s request, TVK will need support from at least another 5 MLAs to reach the magic mark of 128.
Vijay has written to Governor Rajendra Arlekar seeking an appointment and requesting an opportunity to prove his majority on the floor of the House.
“We are the single largest party with 108 legislators and have the right to form the government. We request an opportunity to demonstrate our majority,” Vijay said in his message.