Vijay triggers turmoil in AIADMK; 35 MLAs likely to support TVK; twist in TN again

CHENNAI: There are differences of opinion in the AIADMK after actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won a historic victory in Tamil Nadu. Reports say two-thirds of the party's MLAs gathered at Rajya Sabha leader C V Shanmugam's office in Chennai to extend their support to Vijay's party. It is believed that 35 MLAs reached Shanmugam's house, who won from Mailam constituency.

The MLAs are likely to ask AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami to enter into talks to form an alliance with Vijay's TVK. TVK can enter into an alliance only if they have the support of 10 MLAs. Tamil Nadu witnessed dramatic changes as both the parties rooted in Dravidian politics have not been able to become the single largest party.

TVK presently has the support of five Congress MLAs. Other parties, including the CPI, are also likely to declare support for Vijay. In the elections held for the 234-member assembly, TVK won 108 seats. AIADMK won 47 seats. As part of the NDA alliance, AIADMK had fielded candidates in 169 assembly constituencies. The ruling DMK was reduced to just 59 seats and Chief Minister Stalin was defeated. The remaining seats were won by smaller parties like the Congress and the Left.