Actor-politician C Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has said that all 107 of its MLAs will resign if the DMK and AIADMK attempt to form a coalition government in Tamil Nadu.
The development comes amid reports of two meetings between leaders of the DMK and AIADMK, triggering speculation about a possible alliance between the two major regional parties.
According to sources cited by News18, the TVK believes the two parties may be trying to form the government despite TVK emerging as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections.
TVK seeks first chance to form government
TVK secured 108 seats in the election, including two won by Vijay himself. The party currently has 107 MLAs and maintains that it should be invited first to form the government in Tamil Nadu.
However, Governor RV Arlekar reportedly refused to allow Vijay to stake claim, saying the party did not have the required majority.
Sources said the Governor asked Vijay to submit letters of support from at least 118 legislators before making any move to form the government.
The second meeting between Vijay and the Governor in two days reportedly ended without a breakthrough.
Stalin dismisses alliance speculation
Outgoing Chief Minister MK Stalin has, meanwhile, denied speculation around a possible DMK-AIADMK alliance.
Speaking to The Times of India, Stalin said the DMK was willing to allow TVK to attempt forming a government and added that he would "watch without disturbing for six months".
While indicating that the DMK did not want the state to face another election or constitutional uncertainty, Stalin also expressed hope that welfare schemes introduced by his government would continue under any new administration.
"The new govt should continue with the free breakfast scheme for schoolchildren," Stalin said.
"And 'Kalaignar magalir urimai thogai' (Rs 1,000 monthly allowance to women heads of households)," he added.
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Commenting on TVK's promise of giving Rs 2,500 to women, Stalin said the commitment could be difficult to sustain financially.
"Give them at least Rs 1,000 as we did," he said.
The DMK chief also claimed that his government had fulfilled 90 per cent of the promises made in its 2021 election manifesto, while noting that some commitments, including the removal of NEET, could not be implemented because the matter was under the Centre's control.
