Vijay Crosses Majority Mark With Backing Of 120 MLAs As VCK, IUML Extend Much-Needed Support To End Stalemate In Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) have extended their much-needed support to actor-turned-politician Vijay Thalapathy, ending the political stalemate in Tamil Nadu. With the support of the two parties, Vijay now has the backing of 120 MLAs, two above the majority mark needed to form the government in the state.

VCK's Letter Of Support

VCK President Thol. Thirumavalavan has given the official confirmation letter of the party's unconditional support to TVK to Aadhav Arjuna, who is the General Secretary for Election Campaign Management for VIjay's party.

Vanni Arasu, one of the VCK leaders who won the election, in the letter addressed to Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said, “I, Vanni Arasu, as the Leader of the Legislature Party of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on behalf of our two Members of Legislative Assembly, do hereby convey our unconditional support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam under the leadership of its President and Legislative Party Leader, Mr. C. Joseph Vijay, for the purpose of formation of the Government in the State of Tamil Nadu.”

“This support is extended pursuant to the results of the General Assembly Elections held for the State of Tamil Nadu…and is being conveyed in the interest of stable and democratic governance for the people of Tamil Nadu,” it added.

The letter bore the signatures of both the recently-elected VCK MLAs- Vanni Arasu and LE Jothimani.

Vanni Arasu won the elections from Tindivanam and Jothimani secured victory from Kattumannarkoil.

VCK chief Thirumavalavan has also sent a letter to Arlekar, expressing his party's unconditional support to Vijay to form government in the state.

IUML's Letter Of Support

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Saturday offered its unconditional support to TVK.

A letter expressing their support to Vijay's party read, “We do hereby convey our Unconditional support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam under the leadership of its President and Legislative Party Leader, Mr. Joseph Vijay, for the purpose of formation of the Government in the State of Tamil Nadu. This support is extended pursuant to the results of the General Assembly Elections held for the State of Tamil Nadu…and is being conveyed in the interest of stable, secular and democratic governance for the people of Tamil Nadu.”

Vijay's Roller Coaster Ride Towards Majority

Vijay's Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won 108 seats out of the 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. As Vijay won from two seats (Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East), the actual number of seats in TVK's hand totaled to 107 as of now.

In a crucial boost to Vijay’s numbers, Congress ended its alliance with outgoing CM MK Stalin's DMK party and extended support to TVK earlier this week. Congress won five seats in the elections, hence, with its support TVK's strength jumped to 112 MLAs.

However, Vijay still needed six more MLAs to reach the majority mark.

On Friday, CPI (M) and CPI extended support to TVK. With the alliance of these parties, Vijay's numbers jumped to 116 MLAs, two short of the majority mark. Later, it was reported that Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) also pledged its support to Vijay. However, IUML withdrew its support and VCK failed to give any official conformation.

On Saturday evening, VCK and IUML finally offered official letters of support to TVK, finally ending the stalemate in Tamil Nadu.

Here are the number of seats contributed by each parties:

• Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) - 107 seats
• Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) - 2 seats
• Communist Party of India (CPI) - 2 seats
• Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) - 2 seats
• Congress - 5 seats
• Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) - 2 seats

Disappointed Vijay Returns From Lok Bhavan

Vijay arrived at the Lok Bhavan to meet Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar today (Saturday) to stake claim to form the government for the fourth time this week. This time, his bid to form the government was most likely to be approved since now he has the official letters from the parties that have extended support to him.

However, a disappointed Vijay returned from Lok Bhavan as the Governor failed to give him appointment.

It is reported that Vijay will now meet the Governor on Monday.