With rumours floating around about the Congress leaders opening channels of communication with TVK, the MLAs of the party were not seen at the meeting of the SPA MLAs: Reports
Chennai: Vijay, president of the victorious Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), sought an invitation from Governor Rajendra Arlekar to form government in Tamil Nadu. He gave an assurance that he would prove his majority in the Assembly in two weeks since he was running short of 10 MLAs to cross the half-way mark of 118 seats in the 234-member House. On a day of hectic political activity in Chennai, speculation was rife on MLAs of which parties might fill the gap.
At the TVK office in Panaiyur, Vijay was elected leader of the party in the Assembly by the newly elected MLAs, based on which he wrote to the Governor seeking invitation to form the government.
The Congress, which won five seats as an ally of the DMK, emerged as the most likely party which might throw its weight behind the TVK. However, TNCC leader K. Selvaperunthagai did not commit himself to becoming a part of the government. He said that Congress Lok Sabha leader Rahul Gandhi would take a call.
Vijay, on his part, established links with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, telling him, “Transcending politics, we shall focus on the State’s progress and the welfare of people of Tamil Nadu. We look forward to the Union Government’s support in this endeavour.”
In a message, Vijay was thanking Modi for his congratulations on TVK’s impressive performance in which he also assured to further the state’s progress and the well-being of the people. Vijay also thanked Rahul Gandhi, with his message saying ‘beyond politics, we shall prioritise for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu.’
With rumours floating around about Congress leaders opening channels of communication with TVK, the MLAs of the party were not sighted at the meeting of the SPA MLAs on Tuesday. However, the five MLAs will not cover the required numbers to form government and many other parties like the PMK, CPI, CPM and VCK were reportedly interested in filling the gap.
The PMK, which contested the polls as part of the AIADMK-led alliance, was said to be keen on extending support to Vijay provided he included their MLA Sowmiya Anbumani in his Cabinet. While some said that the PMK wanted a Deputy Chief Minister’s post, others clarified that it was keen on just the health portfolio.
The Left parties and the VCK, each having two seats, gave the impression that they were in a group and might consider any invitation from Vijay, notwithstanding the fact that they contested the elections as part of SPA.
Outgoing chief minister M K Stalin, who wrote to Arlekar informing of his and his Cabinet’s resignation from their posts, thanked the 1,54,82,782 persons who had voted for candidates of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA). He also visited his Kolathur constituency. from where he had lost the election. He told the people there that he had nothing to fear when he had their support.
