Chennai, May 9 (IANS) Veteran Tamil filmmaker S.A. Chandrashekhar, the father of actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief C. Joseph Vijay, on Saturday expressed happiness after his son secured the backing of 120 MLAs to stake claim to form the next government in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking exclusively to IANS on Saturday, Chandrashekhar reacted emotionally to the fast-moving political developments in the state and Vijay’s emergence as the frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s post.

“Very happy,” Chandrashekhar told IANS when asked about his feelings after the TVK crossed the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly with the support of allied parties.

The development marks a major political milestone for Vijay, whose party emerged as the single-largest formation in the April 23 Assembly elections.

With crucial post-poll support now falling in place, the actor-politician has moved significantly closer to forming the next government in the state.

TVK’s strength received a major boost after the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) formally extended support to Vijay on Saturday.

The party submitted a signed letter to Governor-in-charge Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar backing the TVK-led government formation bid.

Earlier on Saturday, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) also announced support to Vijay, helping TVK comfortably cross the halfway mark needed to form the government in Tamil Nadu.

According to the latest numbers, Vijay now enjoys the support of 120 MLAs — 107 from TVK, five from the Congress, two each from the CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML.

Tamil Nadu witnessed a fierce four-cornered contest involving the DMK, AIADMK, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), and TVK in the Assembly elections held on April 23.

The results, declared on May 4, saw the TVK emerge as the single-largest party with 108 seats.

However, after Vijay decided to retain only one of the two Assembly constituencies he won, the party’s effective strength in the State Assembly came down to 107.

Following the poll outcome, intense political activity unfolded in Chennai, with the TVK opening channels of communication with several parties to secure support for government formation.

The Congress was the first to publicly back Vijay followed by CPI and CPI-M ,VCK, and IUML.

Sources said Vijay has sought an urgent appointment with Governor Arlekar before the latter’s scheduled departure to Kerala.

TVK leaders are expected to submit letters of support from allied parties while formally staking claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu.

TVK General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna later said Vijay would soon take oath as the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu as celebrations erupted among party workers across the state.

–IANS

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