Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency: Although the TVK emerged as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, it failed to secure an absolute majority. Vijay subsequently formed the government with the support of the Congress, CPM, CPI, VCK, and IUML.
"If the government is run with the support of Jayalalithaa's party, the AIADMK, our support will be withdrawn!" With this stern warning, the CPM has put Tamil Nadu Chief Minister—and TVK party chief—C. Joseph Vijay on notice. Despite emerging as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the TVK did not secure a majority on its own. Vijay formed the government with the backing of the Congress, CPM, CPI, VCK, and IUML. Clarifying their stance, the CPM stated that they did not desire fresh elections in Tamil Nadu. It was for this reason that they extended their support to Vijay's party. In their words, "Tamil Nadu is not ready for fresh elections. Furthermore, we did not want President's Rule to be imposed, allowing the BJP to seize power through the 'back door.' That is precisely why we support the TVK-led government." The CPM further declared that if Vijay's government were to disregard the public mandate and attempt to govern with the assistance of parties like the DMK or the AIADMK, they would immediately withdraw their support. In the 234-seat Tamil Nadu Assembly, Vijay's party secured victory in 108 constituencies. The 'magic number'—the majority mark required to form a government in Tamil Nadu—stands at 118. Vijay formed the government with the combined support of two MLAs from the CPM, two from the CPI, five from the Congress, two from the VCK, and two from the IUML. Incidentally, on May 13, 24 MLAs from the AIADMK extended their support to Vijay's government—a move that came as something of a surprise to a section of the political establishment in Tamil Nadu. This occurred despite the fact that the party's chief, E. Palaniswami, had issued a formal whip instructing the party's legislators to abstain from voting. Amidst these developments, reports surfaced that Vijay had held a meeting with those 24 'rebel' AIADMK MLAs prior to the vote of confidence. Many partners of the Vijayan government did not take this matter kindly. In this regard, the CPI(M) asserts that the AIADMK is a constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). They contested the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in alliance with the BJP. The election results indicate that the people of Tamil Nadu have moved beyond the bipolar contest between the DMK and the AIADMK to choose a new political force.