Tamil Nadu Government Formation News Highlights: IUML denies support to TVK; Guv's remark awaited

IUML leader A.M. Shahjahan says, "No, there is no question of that. We are continuing with the DMK alliance."

In another twist in the Tamil Nadu power struggle, IUML leader A.M. Shahjahan says, "We didn't support anybody. I didn't give any letters to anybody. This is just a rumour. We are continuing with the alliance under the leadership of DMK."

He further says, "No, there is no question of that. We are continuing with the DMK alliance."

Shoba Chandrasekhar, mother of TVK chief Vijay, at their residence in Chennai.

TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai on Friday said that the Congress will be part of the new government in Tamil Nadu led by actor-politician Vijay-led TVK and claimed that it was offered two ministerial posts and one Rajya Sabha seat.

Speaking to reporters here after a statewide protest against the Governor's delay in inviting the single largest party (TVK) to form the government, Selvaperunthagai said the party top brass is currently finalising the details of their participation.

"They (TVK) have said two ministers and one Rajya Sabha member." However, the final decision on

Marxist leader and former CPI (M) state secretary K Balakrishnan claimed on Friday that Vijay is "being invited" by the governor Arlekar to form government and that he will be sworn-in on Saturday morning.

According to Marxist leader and former CPI (M) state secretary K Balakrishnan, besides the two Left parties, VCK and IUML "have also given letters," indicating they too have extended support to TVK, which originally lacked numbers to form government. He claimed Vijay is "being invited" by the governor Arlekar to form government and that he will be sworn-in on Saturday morning.

Vijay has garnered support from the Congress, CPI, CPIM, and the IUML. Reports also claim that the VCK is also ready to provide outside support to Vijay's Party. At this point. Vijay will have the support of a total of 120 MLAs – just two more than the majority mark.

TVK: 107 (including just one of two seats won by Vijay).

Congress: 5

CPI: 2

CPIM: 2

IUML: 2

VCK: 2

The IUML has also supported TVK's Vijay, several reports have claimed.

After visiting CPI office and thanking leaders, TVK chief Vijay arrives at CPI(M) office, thanks leaders for support.

VK chief Vijay meets Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and stakes claim to form Government in the state.

CPI(M) leader U. Vasuki says, "Both CPI and CPI(M) conducted their state committee meetings today. They have decided that they are going to extend outside support to TVK to form the Govt. They will definitely vote in favour of TVK when Motion of Confidence is moved in Assembly. We won't participate in the Ministry. It's only outside support. VCK has already said that whatever the Left parties decide, they will toe the line. So, we are expecting that they will do the same thing..."

She also says, "Only on the issue of forming the Govt on Motion of Confidence, we are extending support. On all other issues, whether it is secularism or people's unity or state rights, whenever those issues come up, we will definitely go with whichever secular party comes with us."

TVK chief Vijay leaves his residence in Chennai. Besides Congress, CPI and CPI(M) have extended him support so far, to form a government in the state.

"I have seen MGR (M G Ramachandran). I have seen Jayalalithaa. This seat belongs to them, and after them, no one was worthy enough to sit there until today," shouted an elderly supporter, Joseph, as he fought through the crush of the crowd. "The 'Kalla Kootani' (secret alliance) between the two giants has been ripped apart. We have ended the 'B-Team' politics once and for all."

"We haven't slept. We've been sitting here with a fever just to know if this was the end of the road or a new beginning," said one woman to PTI Videos, her voice cracking with emotion. "When we heard the word 'support', we didn't cheer — we just went to the temple and cried. God has finally seen the injustice we faced."

On Tamil Nadu political situation, Congress MP Jebi Mather says, “The standard process is for the Governor to invite the party with the highest number of MLAs to form the government. It is a strange situation where, despite having such significant numbers and a clear mandate, there appears to be an agenda behind these delays. Everyone should understand that if this is an attempt to push a BJP agenda, the BJP holds only a single seat in the Tamil Nadu Assembly…The appropriate course of action is to respect the people's mandate and allow the process to move forward by giving the TVK an opportunity. While the Congress and DMK have shared a strong bond, the DMK must also recognise that preventing non-secular forces from joining hands is the need of the hour…”

Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthran said, “The election results have been gracefully accepted by our party, and we believe that the people of Tamil Nadu have not given a mandate for the BJP to form the government."

"We sincerely respect the will and mandate of the people and do not wish to align with any party in an attempt to form the new government in the state. Therefore, we do not wish to participate actively in this process and will not vote for any party in the formation of the government,” Nagenthran said.

TVK workers and supporters burst crackers and distribute sweets outside the party headquarters in Chennai as CPI and CPI(M) extend unconditional support to the party for the formation of a government in the state.

CPI General Secretary D Raja says, "...TVK approached CPI, CPI(M) and VCK in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu unit of our party has taken a position in consultation with the national leadership of our party. We have agreed to extend support to TVK to form the Govt. We have also asked the Governor to invite the leader of the single-largest party TVK to form the Govt..."