CHENNAI: Uncertainty over formation of a govt led by TVK continued on Thursday after Governor R V Arlekar informed C Joseph Vijay that the swearing-in process could be initiated only after he proved he had the numbers required for a majority in the assembly.Vijay who met the governor on Thursday was told that he has not ‘established’ that he had the required number of MLAs to form govt. The meeting comes a day after Vijay staked claim to form the govt.“During the meeting, the Hon’ble Governor explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the govt, has not been established,” said a statement from Lok Bhavan. TVK has won 108 seats and secured the support of five Congress MLAs, but still remained short of the 118-mark needed for a majority.Following the governor’s response, Vijay held discussions with his legal team and senior leaders at his Foreshore Estate residence on Thursday on the possibilities of moving court for directions for a floor test in the Assembly if delay continued.Later in the day, Vijay spoke to VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan over the phone seeking support for govt formation, while other second-rung leaders, including N Anand, Arun Raj and CTR Nirmal Kumar, met CPI, IUML and CPM leaders respectively. “He spoke to me seeking support. I said a decision would be taken after consultations,’’ Thirumavalavan said.TVK leaders expressed hope that they would get the required support from other parties. “We have sought support from several parties, and we hope good will happen,” said TVK general secretary Arun Raj. He also urged the Governor to act in accordance with constitution.Responding to a question on reports that DMK and AIADMK may come together to prevent TVK from forming the govt, he said, people of Tamil Nadu were watching everything. “Why was OPS expelled from the AIADMK? Was it not because he was said to have maintained ties with the DMK? These two parties have planned things in a way that could dilute the people’s mandate,” he added.Meanwhile, TVK MLAs staying at a resort in Mamallapuram arrived at the party headquarters in Panaiyur. General secretary N Anand asked them not to panic and described the development as “only a delay and not a denial”. He also dismissed rumours that TVK MLAs were being poached.
