No Decision Yet on Supporting TVK for Government Formation: Thol Thirumavalavan

Chennai, May 6: Thol Thirumavalavan, leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), stated on Tuesday that no decision has been made regarding support for the Tamilaga Vetrik Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor Vijay, in light of the fractured mandate observed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

In the elections held on April 23, Vijay’s TVK emerged as the largest party, securing 108 seats, surpassing both the DMK and AIADMK in the 234-member assembly. However, the party fell short of the majority mark of 118, making the formation of the next government reliant on post-election alliances.

Despite lacking a majority, the TVK has claimed to form the government before Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, citing its status as the largest party. The party has requested two weeks to prove its majority in the assembly.

With a need for 12 additional seats to secure a majority, political attention has shifted to potential support from other parties. The Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and its leftist allies, along with the AIADMK-led coalition and certain factions of the PMK, are expected to play crucial roles in this emerging scenario. However, the TVK has not yet made any formal outreach to other parties regarding coalition discussions.

Leaders from various political parties have indicated that any decisions regarding support will be made after internal consultations. The Communist parties—CPI-M and CPI—have stated they will discuss their collective stance before proceeding. The Congress is also assessing its options in light of the fractured mandate.

Addressing a press conference, Thirumavalavan emphasized that the VCK will consult with its allies before making a decision. He stated, “We have not yet decided on supporting TVK. We will discuss with the Communist parties and then decide. Let’s see what happens next.”

He further noted that the coalition’s efforts to counter the ‘communal politics’ of the AIADMK-BJP alliance have been successful, indicating that a broader discussion will determine the next steps in the state.