TVK chief and actor Vijay met with Tamil Nadu Governor R.V. Arlekar at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai to discuss forming a new government.
The meeting follows a hung verdict [1] in the recent state elections, leaving the leadership of Tamil Nadu in a state of deadlock. Because no single party secured a clear mandate, the Governor's decision on who to invite to form the government will determine the state's political direction.
Governor Arlekar turned Vijay away after the meeting, stating that he requires concrete evidence of legislative support. "Come with 118 signs," Arlekar said [2]. The Governor's office said that no final decision has yet been taken on inviting Vijay to form the government [3].
To secure the premiership, Vijay must prove he has the backing of 118 MLAs [2]. This requirement comes as the TVK chief negotiates with various political factions to bridge the gap in his numbers. While some reports suggest Vijay may cross the majority mark with support from the Congress, VCK, CPI, and CPI(M) [1], other accounts indicate his hopes may currently rest on the VCK alone [4].
As the deadlock continues, the possibility of an unlikely coalition has emerged. There is buzz that the Dravidian arch-rivals, the DMK and AIADMK, may come together after over 50 years [4] to form a government and prevent Vijay from taking power. These two parties have historically remained opposed, making such a pact a significant departure from traditional state politics.
Protests have reportedly erupted against the Governor's decision to delay the swearing-in process [5]. Meanwhile, smaller parties are expected to decide on their backing of Vijay today [5], which could potentially provide the numbers required to satisfy the Governor's demand.
“"Come with 118 signs"”
The demand for 118 signatures shifts the burden of proof entirely onto Vijay, forcing him to formalize alliances in a volatile hung assembly. If he fails to secure these signatures, the prospect of a 'grand alliance' between the DMK and AIADMK would represent a historic realignment of Tamil Nadu politics, ending five decades of rivalry to keep a cinematic outsider from power.
