Why M.K. Stalin persuaded DMK allies to join hands with Vijay’s TVK

In a dramatic turn in Tamil Nadu politics, actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay is set to become the state’s next chief minister after his party, ending days of uncertainty over government formation in the southern state. 

Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which emerged with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly — 10 short of the majority mark — managed to gather backing from multiple parties in the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance over the past few days. 

Support eventually came from four MLAs belonging to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). Earlier, the Congress, CPI, and CPI-M had also extended support to Vijay’s party. All these parties were members of teh DMK-led bloc.

Meanwhile, DMK spokesperson A. Saravanan claimed that DMK chief M. K. Stalin personally encouraged alliance partners to support TVK in order to avoid a constitutional crisis in the state.

"Congratulations to the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Vijay. He is able to become the chief minister with the help of DMK allies. Our leader MK Stalin does not want a constitutional crisis and he persuaded allies (to join hands with the TVK) after extensive consultations," Saravanan said.

However, the DMK also expressed displeasure with Congress for switching sides immediately after the election results without consulting alliance partners. Saravanan argued that Congress had won its five seats largely due to the groundwork laid by DMK cadres

Notably, Saravanan had earlier described Congress as “backstabers” when the party decided to switch the alliance and decided to support TVK.