Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Vijay Chosen to Lead TVK Lawmakers as Party Seeks to Form Government in Tamil Nadu

The actor-politician now needs outside support to reach a majority in the 234-seat assembly.

Overview

  • TVK legislators, who met Tuesday in Panaiyur, unanimously elected Vijay as their legislative leader, with a meeting with Governor Rajendra Arlekar likely Wednesday to start the process of government formation.
  • The party holds 108 seats, which is 10 short of the 118 needed for a majority, and it plans to seek time for a floor test to prove support in the Assembly.
  • TVK is exploring outside backing, with outreach reported to Congress and the Left parties that together have nine MLAs, and some reports suggesting talks with PMK.
  • Outgoing chief minister M.K. Stalin resigned after the results and after losing his Kolathur seat to TVK’s V.S. Babu, as the DMK fell to 59 seats and moved into opposition.
  • The upset challenges decades of DMKAIADMK dominance in Tamil Nadu politics, with Vijay himself winning from Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East in his party’s debut.