NEW DELHI, May 9: The uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu finally ended as TVK leader Vijay on Saturday was invited by the governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arelkar to form a government in the state.
Vijay is scheduled to take oath of office and secrecy as the chief minister at 10 AM on Sunday.
The uncertainty ended after the VCK, a long-time ally of the Left parties who had extended their support to Vijay on Friday, had earlier announced its decision would be in sync with their stand. Shortly after VCK’s decision to back Vijay, another DMK ally, the IUML also extended support to TVK. IUML has two MLAs. With the two small parties’ support, the numbers in favour of TVK rose to120, just two more than the simple majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
After the Left parties declared unconditional support to TVK to form the government asserting it was to prevent BJP’s backdoor entry through Governor and to respect the people’s mandate, VCK founder Thirumavalavan immediately went into a huddle with his party office-bearers through video-conferencing on Friday.
TVK leader Adhav Arujuna told reporters that the VCK has extended support to his party. VCK leader Vanni Arasu, also the legislature party leader addressed a letter to Governor Arlekar declaring support to TVK.
“Victory” said Arujuna and thanked the Congress, Left parties and the VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan MP for supporting his party and expressed confidence that TVK founder-chief Vijay would become the Chief Minister. VCK sources said the party, as of now, will extend outside support to Vijay in his bid to form TVK’s maiden government.
(Manas Dasgupta)
