TVK’s Vijay stakes claim to form Tamil Nadu govt, seeks time to prove majority
TVK’s strong debut reshapes Tamil Nadu politics as Vijay moves to form government and begins talks for support to cross the majority mark.
TVK’s strong debut reshapes Tamil Nadu politics as Vijay moves to form government and begins talks for support to cross the majority mark.
TVK’s debut reshapes Tamil Nadu politics, but numbers fall short. With smaller parties holding the key, Vijay must secure support quickly to stake claim to power.
In a letter to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, VIjay said that thousands of voters are stranded at bus terminals in Chennai, and similarly in other metro cities across Tamil Nadu, with no buses or alternative public transport available to reach their designated polling booths.
Polling begins across Tamil Nadu and West Bengal with multi-phase voting schedule, over 1,400 candidates in fray, and counting set for May 4 amid tight security arrangements.
TVK leader Vijay’s planned multi-stop campaign in Cuddalore was withdrawn after safety concerns, even as his statewide outreach continues to draw crowds and political attention.
The VCK and the Left parties, fellow travellers with the DMK for long like the Congress, are also apprehensive that their share of seats, instead of being hiked this time, might be reduced from that of the last time to accommodate the DMDK and a few minor parties expected to join the alliance.
Competing with the ruling DMK in announcing freebies as poll promises, opposition AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) on Tuesday announced Rs 10,000 for every household to help tide over inflation and the rising cost of living.
The instruction, addressed to the Chief Secretaries and Chief Electoral Officers of the five states and Puducherry, comes ahead of the expiration of the current Legislative Assemblies’ terms between May and June 2026.
On the speculation that some more parties are entering the DMK-led alliance, she said, “Certainly, there is a possibility of a few more parties joining us. But, who would get accommodated will be decided by Chief Minister MK Stalin. He will announce it at the appropriate time.”
In a last-ditch bid to save his political future, former deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam (OPS), who has been left to fend for himself, has expressed his desire to join the AIADMK provided his ‘beloved brother’ and party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader TTV Dhinakaran, were prepared for readmitting him.
