Vijay set to form Tamil Nadu govt

Actor-politician Vijay is set to form the next government in Tamil Nadu after his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, crossed the majority mark with support from Congress and Left-backed allies.

TVK, which contested its first election since its launch two years ago, emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu assembly polls, winning 108 seats.

The party fell 10 seats short of the 118-seat majority mark in the 234-member assembly.However, support from Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, CPI and CPI(M) pushed the alliance tally to 119 seats – one above the majority mark.

Congress, which won five seats, had earlier extended support to TVK, taking the bloc’s strength to 113. CPI, CPI(M) and VCK won two seats each.

A formal announcement backing TVK is expected at a joint press conference in Chennai on Friday, clearing the way for government formation.

CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby said the parties decided to support TVK to avoid the imposition of President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu.Vijay met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar twice this week as uncertainty continued over who would be invited to form the government.

According to people aware of the matter, the governor asked TVK to show support from at least 118 MLAs before extending an invitation to form the government.