The unthinkable in Tamil Nadu politics turned probable on Thursday when DMK president M K Stalin reportedly informed his party legislators that the AIADMK had been seeking his support to form a government and checkmate TVK president C Joseph Vijay from becoming chief minister. The legislators left the decision to Stalin, multiple sources told TOI.
AIADMK seeks governor's appointment
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is understood to have sought an appointment with Governor R V Arlekar on Friday. Hours before the DMK legislators' meeting, Stalin was closeted with leaders of VCK, CPI, and CPM, whose six MLAs (two each) can fill the five-seat gap that the TVK-Congress combine should fill to cross the 118-mark. The topic of AIADMK outreach came up in this meeting as well, and the DMK allies told Stalin that they would convey their decision on Friday.
Governor's stance on TVK
Earlier on Thursday, Governor R V Arlekar had told TVK that it was yet to demonstrate the support of a majority of MLAs to form the government. TVK is the single largest party with 108 legislators, while DMK has 59 and AIADMK 47 MLAs in the 234-member assembly.
Background of talks
Two independent sources told TOI that the talks commenced when AIADMK general secretary called DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on May 4 evening, when TVK emerged as the winner. The DMK legislature party passed four resolutions, including one describing the situation as “critical and complex” where no party has secured a clear majority. The state is not prepared for another election, it noted. The meeting authorized Stalin to “analyze the situation and take immediate and urgent decisions.”
Allies' deliberations
Leaders of DMK allies other than Congress, which moved to the TVK side on Wednesday, have been meeting Stalin for three days. “In Thursday’s meeting, the topic of social media being abuzz with DMK-AIADMK talks came up,” said a source. “The allies said it would be taken into account during their respective party meetings on Friday to decide on the future course of action,” an alliance party leader added.
Asked about the possibility of VCK approving a DMK-AIADMK understanding, a senior VCK leader said: “When there is a threat in the name of TVK, why not the AIADMK and DMK join hands to provide a stable government?”
AIADMK legislators in resort
AIADMK legislators continued to be holed up in a resort in Puducherry for the second day. AIADMK’s allies PMK (4 seats), AMMK, and BJP (1 each) have been lying low.
