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Chennai: Vijaychief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has sought support from the Indian National Congress to form the next government in Tamil Nadusenior Congress leader KC Venugopal Confirmed on Tuesday.

The development comes after TVK emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections but fell short of a clear majority.

TVK Falls Short of Majority Mark

TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, leaving it 10 seats short of the majority mark of 118. The Congress, which has five seats, now holds a potentially crucial role in government formation but has not yet taken a final decision on extending support.

The outcome has set the stage for intense political negotiations, with multiple parties holding the key to forming a stable government.

Numbers Game Gets Complicated

The arithmetic becomes tighter as Vijay won from two constituencies Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East and is required to vacate one seat under election rules. If he relinquishes Tiruchirappalli, as indicated by party sources, TVK’s tally would drop to 107.

Further, once a Speaker is elected, they typically abstain from voting in confidence motions, effectively reducing the party’s voting strength to 106. This means TVK would need support from at least 12 additional legislators to cross the majority threshold.

Allies and Options on the Table

Within the rival blocs, smaller parties and allies could play a decisive role. The Congress, Left parties, and regional outfits together hold enough seats to influence the final outcome. On the other side, parties aligned with opposition alliances also add to the complexity of the situation.

What Happens Next?

If TVK manages to gather the required support and crosses the majority mark, the Governor is expected to invite the party to form the government. However, failure to secure backing could open the door for the second-largest party to stake its claim.

In the event that no party is able to demonstrate majority support, the state could face a period of political uncertainty, including the possibility of Governor’s rule.