NEW DELHI: Even after the assembly results, Tamil Nadu is far from forming a government as parties scramble for numbers to reach the majority mark.With TVK emerging as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, Vijay’s support tally rose to 117, just one short of the majority mark.This comes after the CPI and CPM, with two MLAs each, extended support to his party. VCK, with two MLAs, is yet to formally submit its letter of support.VCK spokesperson K K Pavalan said the party’s MLAs would issue letters backing TVK on Saturday, while party leader Thol Thirumavalavan is expected to make an official announcement later in the day.

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Amid the fast-moving political developments, Vijay met governor R V Arlekar at Lok Bhavan on Friday evening as efforts intensified to secure the final numbers needed to stake claim to power. Earlier in the day, the CPI had announced its “unconditional support” to TVK for the formation of the next government in the state.However, it was indicated that the two IUML MLAs would also back the party, paving the way for a possible swearing-in ceremony on Saturday. However, the political equations shifted late in the night after the IUML announced that it would not support TVK.Read also: How Tamil Nadu’s power battle turned into one hell of a ride; why Dravidian majors’ plans failed to take shapeCPM state secretary P Shanmugam said the party had decided to back TVK to prevent the imposition of governor’s rule in Tamil Nadu. “It would amount to the BJP entering the state through the back door. To stop that, we have chosen to support TVK,” he said, while clarifying that the CPM would not join the new cabinet.

TTV seeks EPS invite, alleges poaching bid

Meanwhile, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran met the governor, urging him to invite AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami to form the government. Speaking to reporters outside Lok Bhavan, Dhinakaran alleged that his party’s lone MLA had gone incommunicado and accused TVK of engaging in “horse trading”. He later claimed the legislator had become unreachable after a forged letter surfaced suggesting he had extended support to TVK.

AIADMK leaders hold backchannel talks with TVK

From May 4 to the afternoon of May 6, senior AIADMK leaders S P Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam are learnt to have held intense negotiations with senior TVK leaders, including Bussy Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and Vijay’s election strategist John Arokiasamy. Sources said the AIADMK leaders sought one cabinet berth for every five supporting MLAs, amounting to seven ministerial positions, along with the post of deputy chief minister.Follow live updates: All eyes on Vijay’s TVK; VCK chief to announce decision on coalition govt todayHowever, political circles noted a marked silence from TVK after Congress MLAs visited the party’s Panaiyur office on May 6 and submitted letters of support.

On May 6, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami moved swiftly to consolidate his camp, summoning all newly elected party MLAs to his office. Following a day of intense consultations with senior leaders and former ministers, Palaniswami is learnt to have successfully blocked attempts by S P Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam to rally AIADMK legislators in support of Vijay’s bid to form the government.Maintaining a firm stand against extending any “voluntary support” to TVK, Palaniswami later deputed AIADMK deputy general secretary K P Munusamy to publicly state that the party “would not support TVK under any circumstance”.Later that evening, AIADMK MLAs were shifted to resorts in Puducherry and reportedly kept away from all forms of communication amid fears of poaching attempts.

On May 7, DMK president M K Stalin held consultations with party MLAs and instructed them to abide by whatever decision the leadership eventually took amid the fluid post-poll situation. During a meeting with alliance partners CPI, CPM and VCK on Thursday morning, Stalin is learnt to have floated the idea of a DMK-backed government led by the AIADMK and sought their support to prevent TVK chief Vijay from assuming office.According to alliance sources, Stalin urged the allies not to abruptly sever ties with the DMK, unlike the Congress, and instead remain within the alliance framework while discussions continued. “He told the allies not to take any step without informing him. He also said he would not stand in their way,” a senior alliance leader said. Later on Friday night, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan met Stalin at his Cenotaph Road residence, reportedly to discuss a possible amicable separation.Though Stalin maintained publicly that the DMK preferred to function as a strong opposition, intense backchannel negotiations continued behind the scenes to block Vijay’s path to power. However, the proposal failed to gain unanimous backing from alliance partners.