Twist in Tamil Nadu: BJP leader says Congress will have 'egg on its face' amid questions on TVK forming govt

Amid speculation over a possible DMK-AIADMK alliance to keep TVK out of power in Tamil Nadu, a senior BJP leader said time will decide who eventually forms the government.

"Only time will tell who will form Govt in Tamilnadu . But one thing is for sure …. @INCIndia will end up with egg on its face," said B L Santhosh, BJP's Tamil Nadu National General Secretary.

Amid all the political drama, earlier, the Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar asked TVK chief Vijay to show majority numbers and submit a list of supporting MLAs during the second round of discussions held in Chennai on Thursday.


Read more: Vijay's TVK: Numbers matter but the genie can't go back in the bottle

The Governor sought clarity on the "magic number" required for government formation and asked Vijay to furnish details of legislators backing TVK's claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu.

However, sources told ANI said that efforts are underway regarding possible support to TVK for government formation, and discussions are reportedly being held with AIADMK leaders through senior party functionaries, including Former Tamil Nadu Minister and TVK candidate KA Sengottaiyan. Sources also claimed that discussions are taking place over a possible power-sharing arrangement, under which CV Shanmugam could be offered the post of Deputy Chief Minister along with key ministerial portfolios. Political speculation intensified after all 28 MLAs were shifted to the private resort in Puducherry.

According to sources, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has not agreed to the proposal of supporting TVK, leading to differences within sections of the party leadership.

Sources further claimed that leaders, including CV Shanmugam and OS Manian are in favour of extending support to TVK in return for major positions in the proposed government.

Meanwhile, Party seniors have reportedly suggested that TVK explore legal options by approaching either the Supreme Court or the High Court regarding the government formation process. Some leaders also suggested the possibility of going for re-election, sources added.

With the support of five Congress MLAs, the alliance stands at 112, still six short of the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member assembly.