The Congress has extended support to actor Vijay’s fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the next government in Tamil Nadu after its blockbuster debut in the recent assembly elections. There, however, is a condition. The alliance must keep out the “communal forces”, the Congress has demanded.
The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) has decided to extend its full support to the TVK to form the government, said a statement by Girish Chodankar, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Tamil Nadu.
“Our support shall be conditional upon the TVK keeping out from this alliance any communal forces that do not believe in the Constitution of India,” the statement added.
An alliance with the Congress adds five more MLAs in Vijay’s support. Adding to his party’s tally of 107 seats, this would take the TVK to 112. He would still need the support of six MLAs to cross the majority and form the government in Tamil Nadu.
Hunting for allies, Vijay has reached out to the VCK, CPI, and the CPM. If they decide to back him, the TVK would have the support of 119 MLAs, one past the halfway mark.
In its statement today, the Congress said that its alliance with the TVK is founded on mutual respect and shared responsibility between the two parties. “It is not only for the formation of this government, but also for future elections to local body organisations, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha,” the party said.
“Vijay and Rahul Gandhi jointly pledge to respect this historic verdict of the people of Tamil Nadu for a secular and progressive government, and to fulfil the dreams and promises of the people – especially the youth of Tamil Nadu,” the statement added.