IUML denied extending support to TVK hours after reports claimed Vijay had secured majority backing and was set to take oath as Chief Minister tomorrow. Raj Bhavan has not officially confirmed either government formation or the swearing-in ceremony, raising fresh uncertainty over TVK’s numbers.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s rapidly changing political developments took another dramatic turn on Friday night after the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) denied reports that it had extended support to Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for government formation.
Earlier in the day, reports had suggested that TVK had crossed the crucial majority mark of 118 seats in the 234-member Assembly with the backing of Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, IUML and other smaller parties. TVK chief Vijay later met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan and formally staked claim to form the government.
Following the meeting, several reports also claimed that Vijay would take oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu tomorrow at 11 am at Chennai’s Nehru Stadium.
However, the political narrative shifted late in the evening after IUML leader A.M. Shahjahan categorically denied reports of supporting TVK and clarified that the party continues to remain with the DMK alliance.
“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 said.
When asked whether there was any possibility of supporting TVK, Shahjahan responded: “No, there is no question of that. We are continuing with the DMK alliance.”
Meanwhile, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) officially confirmed that it had extended support to TVK and sent its letter of support through official communication channels.
CPI(M) leader K. Balakrishnan also stated that the Left parties had extended support to TVK and claimed that the Governor had asked Vijay to form the government.
“Tomorrow morning by 11 am, the swearing-in ceremony is going to take place. Invitations and other things will be sent before that. We have given the letter in support. He went to the Governor and the Governor asked him to form the government,” Balakrishnan said.
CPI State Secretary Veerapandian said the CPI, CPI(M) and VCK together had contributed six MLAs in support of TVK.
“TVK is the single-largest party. It needs 6 MLAs to form the government. We have given 6 MLAs of CPI, CPI(M) and VCK. We have given our support; it is our democratic duty,” he said.
Despite the statements from Left leaders, there has still been no official confirmation from Raj Bhavan regarding either the invitation to form the government or the proposed swearing-in ceremony tomorrow.
With IUML now denying support, questions have resurfaced over whether TVK currently has the required numbers to cross the majority mark. The conflicting claims and rapidly evolving political developments have intensified suspense surrounding Tamil Nadu’s government formation process.
Earlier in the day, reports had suggested that TVK had crossed the crucial majority mark of 118 seats in the 234-member Assembly with the backing of Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, IUML and other smaller parties. TVK chief Vijay later met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan and formally staked claim to form the government.
Following the meeting, several reports also claimed that Vijay would take oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu tomorrow at 11 am at Chennai’s Nehru Stadium.
However, the political narrative shifted late in the evening after IUML leader A.M. Shahjahan categorically denied reports of supporting TVK and clarified that the party continues to remain with the DMK alliance.
“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 said.
When asked whether there was any possibility of supporting TVK, Shahjahan responded: “No, there is no question of that. We are continuing with the DMK alliance.”
Meanwhile, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) officially confirmed that it had extended support to TVK and sent its letter of support through official communication channels.
CPI(M) leader K. Balakrishnan also stated that the Left parties had extended support to TVK and claimed that the Governor had asked Vijay to form the government.
“Tomorrow morning by 11 am, the swearing-in ceremony is going to take place. Invitations and other things will be sent before that. We have given the letter in support. He went to the Governor and the Governor asked him to form the government,” Balakrishnan said.
CPI State Secretary Veerapandian said the CPI, CPI(M) and VCK together had contributed six MLAs in support of TVK.
“TVK is the single-largest party. It needs 6 MLAs to form the government. We have given 6 MLAs of CPI, CPI(M) and VCK. We have given our support; it is our democratic duty,” he said.
Despite the statements from Left leaders, there has still been no official confirmation from Raj Bhavan regarding either the invitation to form the government or the proposed swearing-in ceremony tomorrow.
With IUML now denying support, questions have resurfaced over whether TVK currently has the required numbers to cross the majority mark. The conflicting claims and rapidly evolving political developments have intensified suspense surrounding Tamil Nadu’s government formation process.