Amid the uncertainty over the clearing of the majority mark, reports hint that TVK, which has 108 seats in the 234-member legislative assembly, could opt for the ‘Kejriwal model’ of 2014. The speculations come as actor-turned-politician Vijay wrote to Tamil Nadu Governor, staking a claim to form the government as the single largest party.
Vijay has also sought for two weeks to prove his majority through a floor test. He would need 10 more seats to clear the absolute majority. The Congress party has expressed willingness to extend support, and the TVK leadership is in talks with the Left parties and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK)'s chief Thol Thirumavalan for his support to form the next government in the state.
Amid this, speculations are that Vijay is willing to follow former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s method of forming a minority government. In 2013 Delhi state elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged as the single largest party but did not hold a majority as it won only 28 out of 70 seats. It went on to form a minority government with outside support from the Congress party. The Congress strategy was to offer unconditional support so that they could force AAP to assume the responsibilities of governance. They could not only challenge AAP to deliver on its populist promises but also prevent the BJP from coming to power.
Just 49 days into the governance, Kejriwal introduced the Lokpall anti-corruption bill, which failed to clear the house after opposition parties blocked its introduction. The government resigned, and the Assembly was kept in "suspended animation" with President's Rule imposed. The Assembly was eventually dissolved on November 4, 2014, following a recommendation by the Lieutenant Governor and Cabinet approval.
The elections were held in 2015, and Kejriwal's party won a massive majority, securing 67 out of 70 seats.
According to local media reports, Vijay too has adopted a similar position. The actor has reportedly told his key executives that the party will only accept unconditional support.
"If anyone gives unconditional support, we can accept it, and if anyone extends conditional support, we should not accept it. The people of Tamil Nadu have trusted us and given us this victory. Therefore, even if elections are held again in Tamil Nadu, we will get more seats than this," Vijay reportedly told his party executives.
Political analysts also think Vijay can easily form a minority government. “Vijay does not need to form a majority government. He can be invited by the governor to form the government and take a floor test and dare the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna DMK to vote him out," commentator and political analyst Sumanth Raman wrote on X. He added that in case of a floor test, one group of MLAs could abstain to allow the confidence vote to pass. “So theoretically, he can run a minority government as long as the others won't join each other to vote him out," Raman added.