'Let Vijay form the govt': TVK gets six-month runway as MK Stalin rules out no-confidence move

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Chief and outgoing Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced that his party will not "disturb" the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government for at least six months.

The announcement comes just days after the Assembly Election results delivered a historic, albeit fractured, mandate. The TVK, led by movie star Vijay, emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats, shattering the decades-long duopoly of the DMK and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

"The people have given a mandate that demands a new direction," Stalin said. "As a party that respects the will of the Tamil people, the DMK will sit in the Opposition. Let Vijay form the government. We will not disturb them or bring any no-confidence motions for the next six months. Let the youth prove their vision."

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The "six-month pact" is seen as a strategic move to allow the debutant party to navigate the complexities of governance without the immediate threat of a collapse.

Also read | Is Trisha Krishnan joining Thalapathy Vijay's political party TVK amid his historic win and relationship rumours?

The numbers game

Despite emerging as the single largest party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam fell short of the 118-seat majority mark. However, its path to power became clearer after the Congress, with five seats, extended conditional support to Vijay. Even then, the alliance remains five seats short of a majority, and reports say the governor has asked Vijay to prove he has the numbers needed to form the government.

In this regard, the TVK is also reportedly in talks with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist), all of which won two seats each.

With Stalin’s public pledge of non-interference, the TVK is now expected to form a minority government or a "working coalition" without the immediate pressure of legislative gridlock.

'MGR 2.0' faces the reality of power

The rise of Vijay, often referred to as "MGR 2.0" during the campaign, was led by a mammoth surge in Gen-Z and first-time voters. However, the actor-politician now faces the daunting task of fulfilling ambitious campaign promises regarding the abolition of NEET and radical transparency in the state’s excise department.

Vijay is expected to be sworn in as the Chief Minister at a grand ceremony in Chennai this weekend, with the DMK remaining in the opposition with its 59 seats.