AIADMK rejects reports of post-poll alliance with Vijay’s TVK

The AIADMK on Wednesday dismissed reports of the party extending support to Vijay’s TVK as “entirely false”.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai after a meeting with party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, AIADMK deputy general secretary KP Munusamy asserted that AIADMK will not support Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) under any circumstances.

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“This is entirely false. Under no circumstances will the AIADMK support the TVK. We are issuing this clarification as per the instruction of our party general secretary (Edappadi K Palaniswami),” Munusamy said.

His remarks came amid reports of back-channel talks between TVK and AIADMK to discuss the likely alliance.

The TVK emerged as the single largest party, winning 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly. The Congress, with five seats, has already extended support to the TVK but the party still needs at least 5 more seats to secure the majority.

The AIADMK clarification came after Vijay met Governor Rajendra Arlekar and staked claim to form the government.

The Governor, however, was unconvinced about the numbers. He reportedly asked Vijay to produce documentary evidence of majority support before any invitation to form the government.

So far, only the Congress party has openly extended support to Vijay. Newly elected Congress MLAs met the TVK chief earlier today and handed over their letter of support.

The Congress has given conditional support to Vijay, asking him not to allow “communal forces” to be part of the alliance. This effectively rules out the possibility of TVK seeking support from smaller NDA parties.

VCK, IUML and CPI with 2 MLAs each are the likely options before the TVK chief but they have reportedly pledged their loyalty to MK Stalin.