Vijay Nears Tamil Nadu CM Post As TVK Crosses Majority Mark

C Joseph Vijay moved closer to becoming the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) secured the support of 120 MLAs, comfortably crossing the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly.

The latest support came from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), whose legislative party leader, SSB Syed Farook Basha and deputy leader AM Shahjahan, submitted a signed letter to Governor-in-charge Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar backing the proposed TVK-led government.

Earlier, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) had also announced support to TVK, strengthening Vijay’s numbers ahead of staking claim to form the government.

Tamil Nadu voted for all 234 Assembly constituencies in a single phase on April 23 in a four-cornered contest involving the DMK, AIADMK, NTK and TVK.

The results declared on May 4 saw TVK emerge as the single-largest party with 108 seats. After Vijay retained only one of the two seats he had won, the party’s effective strength came down to 107 MLAs.

According to the current tally, TVK now has support from five Congress MLAs, two each from CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML, taking the coalition strength to 120.

Political activity intensified in Chennai following the results, with TVK reaching out to multiple parties for support. CPI and CPI(M) were among the first to publicly back Vijay, followed by Congress.

Sources said Vijay sought an urgent appointment with Governor Arlekar before his scheduled departure to Kerala.

TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna later said Vijay would soon take the oath as Chief Minister as celebrations erupted among party workers.

Also Read: PM Modi Praises BS Yediyurappa For Completing 50 Years In Public Life