It was assumed that Vijay's TVK had ultimately touched the 118 magic figure, with backing from the Congress, the Left, and the anticipated support of the VCK. But the Tamil Nadu political saga took yet another twist late at night.
It appeared to be a settled arrangement for Vijay's TVK when he met the Tamil Nadu Governor on Friday for a third occasion in three days to stake claim to establish the government. It was believed that the TVK had finally achieved the 118 magic figure, with support from the Congress (5), Left (4) and the expected endorsement of the IUML and VCK. However, the Tamil Nadu political drama shifted course again as Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar sent Vijay back once more. Lok Bhavan insiders informed India Today that Vijay's numbers were still below the required majority figure.
Lok Bhavan insiders stated Vijay handed over letters of support from 117 MLAs on Friday. This included the 107 MLAs of the TVK, which emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. While the TVK secured 108 seats, Vijay is likely to vacate one of the two seats he captured, lowering the party's effective strength to 107. The Jana Nayagan actor also submitted the signatures of five Congress MLAs, four Left MLAs, and one AMMK MLA.
THE VIJAY-GOVERNOR MEETING
Vijay requested an 11 am swearing-in on Saturday. However, a phone call within 30 minutes by AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran to the Governor complicated the situation. Dhinakaran informed the Governor that the signature of the lone AMMK MLA submitted in support of Vijay was fabricated.
Meanwhile, the TVK attempted to contact the AMMK MLA Kamaraj. However, he did not respond.
Within an hour, the AMMK MLA appeared in Chennai. Accompanied by Dhinakaran, the pair met the Governor and alleged horse trading by Vijay's TVK. The AMMK MLA reportedly stated the signature was not his. Dhinakaran informed the Governor that AMMK remained firmly aligned with the NDA.
Sources stated this reduced the effective tally to 116, two below the majority figure.
Meanwhile, the TVK released a video reportedly showing Kamaraj drafting a letter extending support to Vijay's TVK.
VCK CREATES MORE SUSPENSE IN VIJAY DRAMA
The drama was not over yet.
Lok Bhavan insiders stated that the VCK, part of the DMK alliance, had not submitted any support letter to the Governor.
Amid reports that the VCK had forwarded its support through email, Lok Bhavan insiders stated it had not been received by the Governor.
On Friday, the VCK had criticised Vijay as "arrogant" for allegedly seeking support through WhatsApp messages instead of personally approaching the leadership.
Late at night, the IUML, which has two MLAs, denied offering support to Vijay and stated it remained firmly with the DMK.
It effectively meant that Vijay was once again short of the numbers and there would be no swearing-in on Saturday.
Lok Bhavan insiders stated the Governor instructed Vijay to return with the signatures of 118 MLAs, and he would then be invited to take oath as the chief minister immediately.
Vijay has Support of 116, 117 or 118 MLAs? Lok Bhavan insiders explain
It was assumed that Vijay's TVK had ultimately touched the 118 magic figure, with backing from the Congress, the Left, and the anticipated support of the VCK. But the Tamil Nadu political saga took yet another twist late at night. It appeared to be a settled arrangement for Vijay…
