Thalapathy Vijay threatens mass resignation of 107 MLAs

Political uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu has deepened, with actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay's party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), warning that its 107 MLAs will resign collectively if the DMK or AIADMK attempt to form a government.

TVK has emerged as the single largest party in the state assembly election, winning 107 seats. The party claims it has the right to be invited to form the government. However, Governor RN Ravi has said TVK cannot be called to form the government yet as it does not have sufficient majority support.

A Raj Bhavan statement said TVK has failed to demonstrate the required support to form a government. The party has been asked to submit letters of support from 118 MLAs.

TVK currently needs 10 more seats to reach the majority mark of 118. The party has already secured support from five Congress MLAs, and talks are ongoing with Left parties and smaller groups. TVK is also considering approaching the court.

According to NDTV, TVK suspects that DMK and AIADMK, following their recent meetings, are planning to form a government together, sidelining the single largest party.

Meanwhile, the DMK has authorised its chief MK Stalin to take "urgent decisions". AIADMK leader E Palaniswami is also being considered as a potential chief minister in an alternative arrangement, though there are divisions within the DMK over this.

Governor Ravi's stance has also drawn criticism from TVK's potential allies. The Communist Party of India has said TVK should be given the chance to form government as the single largest party. Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has also voiced support for Vijay.