Chennai, 9 May

The uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu finally ended on Saturday after days of drama, with DMK allies VCK and IUML extending "unconditional support," to Vijay-led TVK and enabling it to cross the requisite numbers to form government. Yet, the party only got a thin majority in the 234-member Assembly.

The suspense ended when the Thol Thirumavalavan-led Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which has two seats, finally extended support after keeping the TVK on tenterhooks and the political circles abuzz over its stand. VCK, a long-time ally of the Left parties who had extended their support to Vijay on Friday, had earlier announced its decision would be in sync with their stand.

Shortly after VCK's decision to back Vijay, another DMK ally, the IUML also extended support to TVK. IUML has two MLAs. With the two small parties' support, the numbers in favour of TVK rose to120, just two more than the simple majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.

Armed with the support of 120 MLAs, Vijay on Saturday evening set off to the Lok Bhavan to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arelkar, but had to turn back as he reportedly did not get an appointment. CPI state secretary M Veerapandian slammed the governor for "harassing" Vijay.

The Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam faced serious allegations when NDA constituent AMMK accused it of alleged bid aimed at horse-trading. MLAs belonging to Congress, which has extended support to the TVK, have shifted to Hyderabad.

After the Left parties declared unconditional support to TVK to form the government asserting it was to prevent BJP's backdoor entry through Governor and to respect the people's mandate, VCK founder Thirumavalavan immediately went into a huddle with his party office-bearers through video-conferencing on Friday.

While it was expected that the VCK would announce its stand on Saturday morning, the party revealed its decision later in the day. There were unverified reports of some hard-bargaining between TVK and VCK, possibly over ministerial allocations, but there was no official confirmation from either sides.

Vijay, however, has been open to accommodate allies in his cabinet, in sync with VCK's stated position of power-sharing.

In a return of "resort politics" --last seen in Tamil Nadu after the demise of AIADMK matriarch and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2016, the five Congress MLAs were now in Hyderabad and TVK legislators were in a resort/hotel in Mamallapuram near here. While the AIADMK MLAs have returned to Chennai from Puducherry, its chief Edappadi K Palaniswami has greeted the "party that is set to form the government."

At a time when claims were doing the rounds that VCK is eyeing plum posts, including Deputy CM in the Cabinet to be helmed by Vijay, party leader SS Balaji said the VCK has the liberty to take a decision at its will and convenience.

"Why is so much fuss made and pressure exerted on us," he asked.

Meanwhile, the AMMK has lodged a complaint with the Guindypolice here against the TVK, alleging the use of a "forged" support letter to stake claim for government formation. According to Guindy police, a petition has been received from AMMK General Secretary T T V Dhinakaran.

Speaking to reporters, the AMMK chief accused the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam of submitting a photocopy of a forged letter to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, falsely claiming the support of AMMK’s lone MLA-elect from Mannargudi, S Kamaraj.

He also questioned why the original letter, allegedly providing support from AMMK to TVK, was not submitted to the governor by Vijay's party and warned of legal action in the issue.

He alleged that the party attempted to bypass the anti-defection law by fabricating support. He also revealed that Kamaraj was "shocked" to see the forged document used in his name. On Friday, Dhinakaran had formally extended AMMK's support to AIADMK General Secretary Palaniswami.

Meanwhile, the TVK dismissed the allegations as "false news," releasing a counter-video purportedly showing MLA Kamaraj signing the "support letter" voluntarily.

Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, with 108 seats, but 10 short of a majority initially, had earlier reached out to the Congress, CPI, CPI (M),VCK and IUML-- all DMK allies, seeking their support to form the government after winning its maiden Assembly election in Tamil Nadu, which was held on April 23. The results were declared on May 4.

Vijay, who has won from two segments, has to resign from one of them, bringing down the party's strength to 107. The number of MLAs from parties supporting the TVK-- Congress (5) and the CPI, CPI (M), VCK and IUML with two MLAs each, stands at 13.

The Congress has broken ties with DMK but the others have said they continue in the Dravidian-party lead alliance.