LIVE | No numbers? No clarity on Vijay's swearing-in yet

Support to TVK: VCK to make crucial decision today

The Thol Thirumavalavan-led VCK will meet on Friday to make a crucial decision on supporting Vijay's TVK in government formation.

VCK has been a trusted ally of the DMK facing several elections together. The party has secured two seats in the April 23 Assembly election.

Stating that VCK cannot take a "magic decision" on supporting the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Thirumavalavan said that his party's consideration of TVK's request for support will surely align with the Left party's decision.

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi MLAs-designate and the party's high-level committee are scheduled to meet today to decide on a post-poll pact.

Preparations begin for Bengal CM swearing-in after BJP’s historic victory

Preparations are underway at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground for the swearing-in ceremony of West Bengal’s new Chief Minister after the BJP’s sweeping election win. The party secured 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, ending the TMC’s 15-year rule in the state.

VCK to decide on TVK support after talks with Left parties

VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan said the party would decide on supporting TVK only after discussions with the Left parties, with whom it has been politically aligned for years. He also said the Governor should invite Vijay to form the government as leader of the single-largest party and criticised the demand for proving majority support before the invitation.

Manickam Tagore rejects DMK allegations, defends Congress alliance role

Congress MP Manickam Tagore rejected the DMK’s allegations against the Congress, saying both parties suffered electoral losses together and accusing some DMK spokespersons of using irresponsible language. He also recalled the alliance history between the two parties and said the Congress had made significant sacrifices to maintain the partnership.

CPM says TN governor should invite Vijay to form government

CPM state secretary TT Shanmugam said TVK, as the leading party in the hung Assembly, should be invited by the Governor to form the government and criticised the Governor’s stand citing a High Court order. He added that the CPM would decide within two days whether to support Vijay after holding its general body meeting.

TVK holds crucial meet of newly-elected MLAs

The TVK held a crucial meeting of the party's MLAs-designate in Chennai on Thursday to discuss government formation.

A large number of newly elected members and also office-bearers who turned up for the meeting on Thursday evening at Panaiyur sought to know from party general secretary Bussy N Anand when the TVK would form the government.

"Many wanted to know from Anand when the TVK will form the government. The leader asked them to be patient as the party chief Vijay was making all the efforts," a source in the party said. 

"The people of Tamil Nadu have given us the mandate to form the government under our leader Vijay. It will definitely happen. Our leader is taking steps," TVK Theni district president Pandi said.

Many presumed that there would be Vijay's swearing-in as Chief Minister but felt dismayed when the event could not take place today.

The meeting comes in the wake of the TVK falling short of meeting a simple majority to form the government. Though the Congress with 5 MLAs has offered support to TVK, Vijay's party falls short of a simple majority of 118 in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.

The TVK won 108 seats in the Assembly elections held on April 23, including two that Vijay won. He has to vacate a seat and retain one constituency. 

Governor trying to buy time to help BJP manipulate govt formation: Sibal

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for not inviting Vijay-led TVK to form the government, alleging that governors are "agents" of the BJP who "maul" the Constitution to serve that party's interests.

The former Union minister alleged that Arlekar is trying to "buy time" so that the BJP can manipulate government formation in Tamil Nadu. Sibal's remarks come amid Vijay's efforts to cobble up support to form his maiden government after his TVK emerged as the single largest party in the the April 23 assembly polls.

"I was hoping that by now the governor would have invited the TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu. That is the norm, the governor, Mr Arlekar, would be knowing the norm. But of course, when governors become agents of the BJP, they do the bidding of the BJP," Sibal said at a press conference here.

The governor is trying to ensure that somehow the AIADMK and the DMK get together and the TVK is not able to form government, he alleged.

"What I hear from media reports is that the DMK has said it will not join hands with any other party to form government," the Independent Rajya Sabha MP said.

The governor must follow the dictum of the Supreme Court and the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission, Sibal asserted. "In Tamil Nadu, no single party has a majority. Normally, the single largest party should be asked to form the government. The test of the majority is not domain of the governor. The governor should ask the leader of TVK (Vijay) and give time to show his majority on floor of the House," Sibal said.

AIADMK chief Palaniswami holds meeting with party MLAs at Puducherry resort

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday held a meeting with the newly elected MLAs from Tamil Nadu at a private resort near Ariyankuppam on the outskirts of Puducherry.

Nearly 40 legislators were present at the meeting, which lasted nearly one hour. Party sources said that Palaniswami asked the MLAs-elect to remain united and be patient. "Good things will emerge and hence you should all remain united and patient in the resort in the next couple of days," he told the MLAs.

The development comes amid TVK's attempts to secure a majority in the 234-member strong Tamil Nadu Assembly. The Congress party, which has 5 MLAs, has already extended support to the TVK.

In the TN Assembly election, the TVK has won 108 seats, the DMK 59, AIADMK 47, Congress 5, PMK 4, IUML 2, CPI 2, CPI-M 2, and the VCK 2. The BJP, DMDK and AMMK have got 1 seat each. 

Puducherry AIADMK state secretary and lone MLA A Anbalagan, along with party functionaries received Palaniswami at the resort. 

AIADMK’s CV Shanmugam resigns from Rajya Sabha

In a significant political development, AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam has resigned from his Rajya Sabha seat.

The former minister confirmed the move in the national capital on Thursday, shortly after submitting his resignation to the competent authority. "I have sent my resignation. I have resigned from my position. Thank you," he told reporters, declining to elaborate.

The resignation has triggered intense speculation regarding shifting alliances in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Amid rumours of a potential tie-up between the AIADMK and the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), or even a realignment with the DMK, Shanmugam maintained a strict distance from the conjectures.

Responding to queries about a "new government" or specific alliance speculations, he said, "I can’t say anything. I don't know anything.” Shanmugam, an influential leader from Vanniyar-dominated Villupuram, had been serving his term in the Upper House since 2022.