CHENNAI: Falling at least 10 seats short of the simple majority mark to form government in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, TVK president C Joseph Vijay has approached several parties, including allies of both the DMK and AIADMK. The Congress has sent positive signals to the TVK, which staked claim to form the government on Tuesday, reports Julie Mariyappan. After Vijay’s resignation from Trichy East seat on Wednesday, TVK’s tally of 108 seats will be reduced to 107. Then he needs the support of 117 MLAs in the 233-member assembly. Sources said TVK mediators have reached out to VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, apart from the Congress, which has five seats. VCK has two seats and PMK has four seats. “TNCC will take a final decision on Vijay’s request,” Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said in Delhi. On Tuesday night, most former PCC presidents, MLAs and MPs said the Congress should support TVK provided Vijay does not include the ‘communal forces of the NDA’ in the deal.

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Vijay on Tuesday wrote to Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar inviting him to form the government as the single largest party and take oath on Thursday. Party sources said the mediators have contacted VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss. Both parties have six seats. However, VCK appeared cautious. A VCK politician said, “Why should anyone leave one alliance for another? The BJP will not allow a Congress-backed government.” TVK, with 108 members, is 10 short of the simple majority. Its number will come down to 107 after Vijay resigns from Trichy East seat on Wednesday. Congress has five MLAs. The Left parties, which have two seats each, have not received any invitation. CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said, “Let’s see after TVK’s decision. They will have to take a stand.” Earlier, CPI, CPM, VCK, MDMK and IUML politicians met Stalin at the DMK headquarters, where DMK sources said, the allies reaffirmed their support. The AIADMK camp is also excited. After meeting AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, first-time MLA Lima Rose Martin told reporters that talks were going on between TVK and AIADMK. “I think it’s going to end on a positive note. It’s going smoothly,” he said. However, senior AIADMK politician and former minister OS Maniyan refused to support TVK.