Tamil Nadu: What did DMK say about Congress party's support for TVK?
The swearing-in ceremony for the new government in Tamil Nadu, scheduled for May 7, may be postponed. On Wednesday, TVK Chief Vijay met with the Governor at the Raj Bhavan to stake his claim to form the government. According to sources, Vijay submitted letters of support from 113 MLAs.
The letters of support bear the signatures of 107 MLAs from the TVK and 5 from the Congress party. According to sources, Governor Rajendra Arlekar requested letters of support from 118 MLAs. In response, Vijay requested additional time to secure the necessary support.
In the 234-member Legislative Assembly, the TVK holds 108 seats; however, since Vijay won from two constituencies, the party's effective tally will drop to 107 once he vacates one seat. The majority mark remains at 117; therefore, the TVK requires the support of 10 additional MLAs. Currently, the party has secured the support of 5 Congress MLAs.
Cong stabbed in the back: DMK
The President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee has extended support to the TVK, a move that the DMK has subsequently described as "stabbing in the back."
Among the results of the five state assembly elections declared on May 4, Vijay's party—the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK)—has scripted history in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
K. Selvaprerunthagai, President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, stated that the party has handed over its letter of support to the TVK, adding that this decision was taken by the party's High Command.
This decision by the Congress is being viewed as quite surprising, as the party has, until now, been a strong ally of the DMK in Tamil Nadu.
Both parties have contested elections together—ranging from the state to the national level—and they fought the recent assembly elections jointly.
Following indications that the Congress will support the TVK, the DMK has openly turned against the Congress.
The DMK has characterized this move by its long-standing national ally as "stabbing it in the back."
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai stated, "The Congress party has decided to form an alliance with the TVK and extend its support to them. I feel they have stabbed us in the back."
The DMK has accused the Congress of betraying the people of Tamil Nadu.
The DMK spokesperson remarked, "They decided to form an alliance before the ink on the Returning Officer's victory certificate had even dried."
The DMK spokesperson added, "We have supported the Congress at every step, and it was our leader, M.K. Stalin, who had championed Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate."