Chennai, May 5:
With the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerging as the single largest party, its president C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday formally staked claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a communication addressed to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Vijay sought an appointment and asserted that his party, with 108 MLAs, had secured the people’s mandate as the largest formation in the Assembly.
“We are the single largest party with 108 legislators and have the right to form the government. We request an opportunity to demonstrate our majority,” Vijay said, adding that he would prove the numbers on the floor of the House within 15 days.
Sources from the Raj Bhavan indicated that the Governor is expected to invite Vijay shortly.
Given that TVK is short of the halfway mark, he may be granted a window of 7 to 15 days to prove majority support in the Assembly.
Meanwhile, Vijay is set to be formally elected as the Legislature Party leader at a crucial meeting of TVK’s newly elected MLAs at the party headquarters in Chennai. The meeting is expected to pave the way for government formation efforts, including possible support from independents or smaller parties.
The developments mark a historic moment in Tamil Nadu politics, with TVK’s rapid rise disrupting the long-standing dominance of traditional Dravidian parties and placing Vijay on the cusp of assuming office as Chief Minister.