Vijay TVK: Why did Vijay stay away from the post of CM even after TVK’s historic victory in Tamil Nadu? According to sources, a “technical mistake” in the claim to form the government changed the entire game. By adding the signatures of the Congress MLAs, the matter became a matter of coalition government and the Governor demanded the majority figure of 118. Did this mistake become Vijay’s biggest political obstacle?
TVK Government Claim: The journey from cinema to power in Tamil Nadu politics has often been like a red carpet, but for ‘Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam’ (TVK) chief Thalapathy Vijay, this path is proving to be thorny. Despite emerging as the largest party in the state in its very first election, Vijay today stands just a few steps away from the pinnacle of power. Will his “inexperience” force him to sit on the opposition benches?
Faltering steps on the threshold of power
The results of Tamil Nadu Assembly elections shocked the entire country. Only two years old party TVK demolished the forts of established giants by winning 108 seats. However, technically Vijay was left with 107 seats as he had to give up one of the two seats he had won. The magic figure of majority in the 234-seat assembly is 118. Vijay had hoped that being the largest party, the path to Raj Bhavan would be easy for him, but this is where he made a mistake which is now being called a ‘historic mistake’.
That one letter that turned the tables
The most talked about in political circles is the ‘Letter of Support’ that Vijay handed over to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. Experts believe that Vijay presented a list of total 112 MLAs with the support of 5 Congress MLAs. This is where the lack of strategy was visible. Political analysts such as Amit Kumar Sindhi argue that if Vijay had only staked claim as the “single largest party” with the signatures of 108 MLAs from his party, then as per convention the Governor would have been bound to give him a chance to form the government and prove his majority. But, the alliance’s signatures gave the Governor the opportunity to stake claim to a ‘coalition government’, falling short of the 118 mark of majority.
Raj Bhavan’s ‘no’ and atmosphere of suspense
When Vijay met the Governor for the first time on May 6, he had to return empty handed. The situation did not change even in the second meeting. The press release issued by Tamil Nadu Lok Bhavan made it clear that Vijay failed to prove the majority mark. This development has raised a big question: Does Vijay lack the right advisors? A senior journalist wrote on social media, “If only Vijay had advisors with better political acumen, he would have been taking oath as Chief Minister today.” This strictness of Raj Bhavan has created disappointment in the camp of TVK and suspense among the people of the state.
Is there still hope left?
In the event of a hung assembly, the ball is still in the Governor’s court. If Vijay is successful in bringing other small parties or independents on board, he can stake his claim again. But, this “small mistake” of his has given his opponents full opportunity to mobilize. Tamil Nadu is now watching whether this ‘reel life’ superstar will be defeated in this ‘real life’ political chess, or will surprise everyone with his next move and occupy the throne of power.