Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Saturday asked TVK chief C. Joseph Vijay to meet him at the Lok Bhavan at 6.30 pm, paving way for government formation in Tamil Nadu. This is Vijay's fourth meeting with the governor in four days.
The governor was earlier scheduled to travel to Kerala, where he has additional charge. However, the trip was cancelled and a meeting with Vijay was scheduled, according to reports.
This comes after TVK getting support of 120 MLAs. VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan on Saturday announced that his party extended support to C. Joseph Vijay's TVK.
Thirumavalavan said VCK wanted to avoid President's rule in Tamil NAdu and hence offers unconditional support to TVK. However, he said association with MK Stalin's DMK will continue.
With the VCK backing, the TVK has support of 120 MLAs, including from the Congress, the two Left parties and IUML. On Friday, Vijay could only secure 116 signatures as IUML and VCK were yet to extend written support ahead of the meeting with Governor.
TVK won 108 seats, but Vijay has to vacate either Perambur or Trichi East as he won from both constituencies. He is likely to retain Perambur in Chennai. This takes TVK's tally to 107 and it needed support of 11 more legislators.
The Congress has five MLAs and is likely to get two minister posts and a Rajya Sabha berth.
The CPI, CPI(M) and IUML have decided to give outside support and not join the government or the cabinet.
VCK, which has two MLAs, had earlier reportedly sough the deputy chief minister's post. It is not clear if the negotiations have been finalised in this regard.
The Congress was the first to extend support of its five MLAs on Thursday, taking the total number to 112. The party was offered two minister posts and one Rajya Sabha berth.
Though the oath-taking ceremony was earlier decided to be conducted on Saturday at 11 am, Governor Rajendra Arlekar did not invite Vijay to form government as he could not get enough signatures.