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Four days after giving a historic mandate and ending the DMK and AIADMK’s 49-year monopoly on Tamil Nadu politics, Vijay’s TVK still finds itself in limbo. The party secured a historic 108 seats and fell 118 short of a majority. However, despite its new ties with long-time DMK ally Congress, new entrant Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam is still six seats short of the majority.Interestingly, the two traditional Dravidian parties (DMK and AIADMK) which have been rivals for a long time, are reportedly eyeing an alliance and are uniting allies to stop Vijay from forming the government.

Now, four days after the election results, Tamil Nadu finds itself at the center of intense political talks, alliance changes, allegations and counter-allegations, resort politics and a fight over government formation.

This is Tamil Nadu post election drama Explained in 10 points:

• Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam emerged as the largest party in Tamil Nadu after winning 108 seats in the 234-member assembly. DMK won 59 seats, while AIADMK won 47 seats. Power in Tamil Nadu has traditionally alternated between the DMK and the AIADMK for decades.
• Despite emerging as the largest party, TVK failed to cross the majority mark of 118 seats. Initially the party fell short by 10 seats, creating uncertainty over government formation. The situation became more complicated as Vijay is expected to vacate one of the two seats he won, reducing TVK’s effective strength from 108 to 107.
• Governor of Tamil Nadu Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar invited Vijay to Lok Bhavan but did not immediately ask him to form the government. According to ANI sources, the Governor sought clarity on the “magic number” required for government formation and asked Vijay to submit details of MLAs supporting TVK’s claim to form the government.
• Congress extended support to TVK with five of its MLAs, taking the alliance’s strength to 113. This move became politically significant as the Congress supported Vijay rather than standing with its long-time ally the DMK, leading to tensions within the secular progressive alliance, with the DMK reportedly calling the Congress a “back stabber”.
• TVK has intensified efforts to garner support from smaller parties including PMK, Left parties, CPM and VCK. Even with Congress’ support, TVK’s effective strength was expected to be 112 after Vijay vacated one seat, still five short of the majority mark of 118.
• Several leaders, including VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan and leaders of Left parties, accused Governor Arlekar of acting under pressure from the BJP-led central government to delay or complicate the constitutional process. Many parties argued that Vijay should have been allowed to prove his majority through a floor test in the assembly.
• At the same time, Stalin reportedly held discussions with leaders of Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi, CPI and CPM, whose combined six MLAs could be crucial in the numbers game.
• The rise of TVK also led to unexpected communication between arch rivals DMK and AIADMK. Chief Minister MK Stalin reportedly informed DMK MLAs that the AIADMK has arrived seeking support to form the government and stop Vijay from becoming the Chief Minister. Amid the political uncertainty, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami was also expected to seek an appointment with Governor Arlekar.
• TVK also reportedly initiated talks with a section of AIADMK MLAs regarding a possible power-sharing arrangement. According to ANI sources, 28 AIADMK MLAs supporting senior leader CV Shanmugam were shifted to a private resort in Puducherry, sparking speculation that a section within the AIADMK is considering supporting TVK.
• Sources claimed that discussions included a possible deputy chief ministerial post and a key ministerial berth for CV Shanmugam. However, the AIADMK itself appeared divided, with party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami reportedly not agreeing to support TVK.

Meanwhile, TVK also shifted its MLAs to a luxury resort in Mamallapuram, where over 50 MLAs remained under heavy police security as the party continued to discuss post-poll strategy.