- 3 hours ago
Days after Congress severed its long-standing alliance with DMK to extend conditional support to the TVK, the DMK passed a resolution condemning the grand old party for betrayal and said the 'INDIA bloc is gone'.
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00:01Hello and welcome, good evening. You're joining us live here on Super 6 on India.
00:05Today I'm Akshita Nanda Gopal and yes, I'm coming to you live from Chennai.
00:09We've had a marathon day of reporting on the field.
00:12I'm here at the Lok Bhavan, which is where essentially the governor will take the final decision
00:17on when we will see Vijay being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
00:23or like I've been saying, the Talapati of Tamil Nadu.
00:26So over the next one hour, we're going to break down for you all of the political action that played
00:31out today.
00:32What's with the delay in Vijay being sworn in?
00:34He's clearly in a tearing hurry, wants the swearing-in to happen as soon as possible,
00:38but so far, no clarity just yet.
00:41Why is it that the governor is not giving the nod?
00:44Does Vijay have the numbers? Does he not?
00:47I'm going to be breaking down all of that for you, even as the next 24 hours will be crucial
00:52because there's a possibility of Vijay having to appear behind me at the Lok Bhavan for a third time.
00:58This time, maybe, with the additional numbers that the governor has sought for.
01:03Governor Arlick are making it very clear that he wants a stable government.
01:06No minority government will be allowed in Tamil Nadu, essentially, is this messaging.
01:10He wants evidence of the 118th majority mark to be hit by Vijay.
01:16So we'll break that down for you.
01:17Of course, there's a huge controversy about past precedent and the fact that governors usually
01:22okay minority governments and then the number is tested on the floor of the assembly.
01:27What's changed here that Vijay is being asked to prove his majority to the governor?
01:32I'll explain all of that to you and much more.
01:34We begin with the headlines first.
01:41Tamil Nadu Governor's Big Assurance to Vijay says we'll not invite any other party to form.
01:47Government asks Vijay to come with numbers to prove majority.
01:55Resort politics kicks off in Tamil Nadu.
01:5825 AIA-DMK MLA is camp at a resort in Puducheri.
02:02EPS along with senior leaders of AIA-DMK currently on route to Puducheri to meet the MLA's.
02:14India Today accesses preliminary post-mortem report of Shavindu's aid.
02:19Multiple bullets pierced Chandra's heart.
02:21Heavy blood loss had led to organ failure.
02:25Emotional, Shavindu says Chandra was like family.
02:32Moments before chilling, Kolkata shootout caught on camera.
02:35Two bikes seen chasing Chandra's car before firing shots.
02:38Bike allegedly used to kill Shavindu's aid.
02:41Seized by Bengal cops now.
02:48Bihar cabinet expansion under Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary.
02:51Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant, swore named as Bihar Mantri.
02:55Prime Minister Modi attends the oath ceremony in Patna.
03:03And one year of Operation Sindhoor.
03:06Prime Minister Modi changes ex-profile pic to Operation Sindhoor logo.
03:10India demolished Pakistan terror hubs in POK and strategic strikes in retaliation
03:14to park terrorist barbaric behelgaum terror attack.
03:42Let's get you the latest news break that's coming in.
03:44And even as questions loom on who will support TVK, whether the VCK and the left will come on board,
03:49it looks like the TVK has put all of their eggs in that basket.
03:52They're not counting on any other side coming over.
03:54Why am I saying that?
03:56Because we've got confirmation that the TVK is not reaching out to any party that belongs to the NDA.
04:03So while there was speculation of the PMK, not happening.
04:06Letter-seeking support hasn't gone to them and the TVK has made it clear that they not reached out to
04:10PMK.
04:11What about the AIADMK?
04:12There's been so much speculation about whether the TVK reach out to the AIADMK,
04:16get 47 odd to their side and then it's done and dusted.
04:19There's no problem of numbers.
04:21It's a stable government.
04:22Everyone assumed that that's plan B of the TVK.
04:24But the TVK has gone on record to say that neither PMK nor the AIADMK have received any offers.
04:31No letter-seeking support have gone there.
04:33And there's been no offer that's been sent across by the TVK.
04:37So they're putting all the eggs in the basket of ensuring VCK and left come over to their side.
04:42Listen in to what CTR Nirval Kumar has said.
04:47We've had a great idea.
04:49The Kandipa has used the MW when only more DON B would shut down.
04:51What others do in the past five minutes?
04:57It's the accessories that I found through.
04:59There's also got a deal.
05:03There's a deal with my putts around HP.
05:07But can't plan .
05:07We'll step in and block and attack by the court or procedure.
05:10We find the targetout.
05:10The Kandipa will whether the IIM would support as a HAS to own job project.
05:14We will get to the next day.
05:17We will get to the next day.
05:18Do you have anything to do with NDA?
05:22No.
05:23No.
05:54I think that there will be a meeting in which formally the AIA-DMK legislative party leader will be chosen.
06:00So a message there by the AIA-DMK of solidarity saying very clearly there is no question of a split,
06:06of a rebellion, of a merger or any of that.
06:08We are all standing as one with EPS.
06:12And so the question that will be asked is whether the AIA-DMK under EPS has completely ruled out in
06:19alliance with the TVK.
06:20I will highlight that the TVK, as I told you, hasn't reached out to the AIA-DMK at all.
06:25Pramod is getting us more details on this.
06:28Pramod, you know, with the AIA-DMK set to nominate the legislative party leader, does this effectively mean that there
06:34is no question of a rebellion, no question of a split?
06:37Then why are the MLAs, you know, cooped up in a resort in Puduchiri?
06:45Well, Akshita, we can clearly say that one particular kind of like, you know, explanation that plainly we have is
06:49that since 2017, we've been saying this kind of like reserve politics that could be actually a precautionary method or
06:54such.
06:54We have known as a collective show, but apparently AIA-DMK wants to go ahead and deploy it because close
06:58to 46 MLAs are with AIA-DMK.
07:01And now Vibong is also told that CV Shanmugham might fly to Delhi.
07:05What is his decision over there? It's completely entirely different.
07:07But it looks like while, you know, Arapani K. Parishwami, after like sending all the MLAs to Puduchiri, he is
07:13on his way over there.
07:14We've been told that like, you know, the program meeting could be conducted over there where he could be elected
07:18as the legislative party head, which could have been done yesterday.
07:21Because the same MLAs were present at Arapani K. Parishwami's residence yesterday, but no such decision was taken.
07:26And after which, you know, CV Shanmugham went taking all these MLAs to Puduchiri.
07:30And we've been told that as this happens, CV Shanmugham might go to Delhi.
07:33What is the role of Delhi that what they're going to play?
07:36Very, very like, you know, it's going to turn completely elaborate.
07:38But this is what AIA-DMK is doing currently right now, Akshita.
07:44No, so you're right.
07:45There are a lot of questions being asked about these suggestions that CV Shanmugham is headed to Delhi, but we're
07:51waiting for confirmation on that.
07:52If he is actually going to Delhi or not, and if Delhi, why at this point already?
07:58Remember that TVK and several other parties like the VCK, the left, Kamal Hassan, they've all come out to suggest,
08:05even the Congress has come out to suggest that the reason the governor is not allowing Vijay to be sworn
08:10in is because this is a BJP conspiracy.
08:12And with CV Shanmugham heading to Delhi, in all likelihood, we'll have to see what really that means.
08:18But Pramod, I request you to stay with me.
08:19We're getting the latest updates that are coming in.
08:22The big question that's being asked right now is whether TVK will get the support that they need.
08:27The VCK and the left, I'll again highlight the numbers for you.
08:31108 is the TVK.
08:34I'm minusing one because of Tridji East where Vijay will have to resign, 107.
08:38Plus five, you make it 112.
08:41They need six more to reach the magic number of 118.
08:44How are they going to get it?
08:45So 118, they need six more.
08:48Four from the left.
08:50So that CPI and CPM both have two each.
08:53And then two from the VCK.
08:55That brings it to six.
08:57118, magic number touched.
08:59So that really is the theory and the plan that the TVK has.
09:03The challenge, however, is the fact that that hasn't happened just yet.
09:07Yes, the Congress is on board.
09:09It's with the Congress's signatures that you had Vijay here at the Lok Pavan with great confidence yesterday turning up.
09:15He was turned away.
09:15This morning, the governor called him in again, said, let's have a meeting.
09:19Let's sit down, discuss.
09:20What is your plan?
09:21How do you plan to get the numbers?
09:22How do you plan to have a majority?
09:24Will you have a stable government with 113 or 12?
09:27How will you do that?
09:28So Vijay did explain his version.
09:30The governor wasn't convinced, has told him, bring the rest of the signatures.
09:33Till the VCK and the left come on board, Vijay is in wait and watch mode.
09:38And if they don't come on board, like I said, there's no plan B.
09:45Joining us for a conversation is the State Secretary of CPIM, Mr. Shanmugam.
09:51Sir, thank you very much for your time.
09:53Today you met the former Chief Minister, Stalin.
09:56You met Karna Nidhi, you met Uday Nidhi, Kanimuri Karna Nidhi, Uday Nidhi.
10:01What was the kind of conversation that went with these leaders?
10:04Are they okay, sir, with you joining TVK?
10:07No, no, no.
10:08We are discussing current political situation with our National Progressive Alliance.
10:19Progressive Alliance leader, M.K. Stalin.
10:23Discussing about the current political situation.
10:26Vijay had given you an offer.
10:28He had written you a letter.
10:29Can you take us through the letter, sir?
10:31What did he exactly ask you?
10:32No, no.
10:33We will discuss tomorrow our State Committee meeting here.
10:37So, we will discuss that matter also in the State Committee.
10:40He wants our support from the newly government.
10:46And are you considering, sir, or are you still yet to hold a meeting?
10:50What did Stalin tell you, sir, about this?
10:53No, no.
10:53We don't discuss with this letter with Stalin.
10:59He is asking to our party.
11:02So, we will decide.
11:04When the ones who have reached the point of their freedom and the people,
11:10this was the time, they will also speak to the internet.
11:15While we have to keep the conversation,
11:16we will get the response to the next.
11:17You know, the people who have reached the moment.
11:18You know the government's life,
11:22the government's life.
11:25you know,
11:26you'll get the fire at some point.
11:27That's why the non-waltitude structure is United.
11:42This governance, I thought, is coming from Goa, having good image there, but because of
11:49his RSS background and because of the pressure of Narendra Modiji and Amit Chaji, I think
11:54he is bending to BJP rather than bending towards the constitution and bending before the people
11:59of Tamil Nadu.
12:00This is not correct.
12:02Governor has no option of asking them to prove the majority at Raj Mahon or in his office
12:08or is in kitchen or is in dining hall or is in garden.
12:12The constitution is very clear.
12:15The mandate, whatever is given by the people of Tamil Nadu has to be honored by the governor.
12:20However, the floor of the assembly is the place designated by the constitution to prove
12:30the majority.
12:31Anybody, single largest party to invite from the government, then the floor test is there.
12:40Within two weeks or four weeks, they can do the floor test.
12:43So, they don't want to follow the Indian constitution or Bumai judgment.
12:50He is doing according to inspection from BJP headquarter.
12:54He is doing here.
12:55This is against Indian constitution.
12:58We are congress for the condemnation.
13:02So, we have seen two meetings essentially today.
13:05The Vijay meeting with the governor, of course, and that is something I briefed to you about.
13:10You had told Tirma Vallivan as well as Shanmugam, representative of the left, both meeting with Stalin.
13:16That led to questions about whether the DMK is trying to hold on to their allies saying,
13:20don't leave us, don't go to the TVK.
13:22CTR Nirmal Kumar of the TVK meeting with Mr Shanmugam again of the left, trying to convince them to come
13:29on board.
13:30All of this has led to questions, and I'll bring in Pramod on this, about whether Pramod,
13:34we're going to see that alliance come through or not.
13:38Ultimately, at this point, you know, the VCK and left have remained non-committal.
13:42What's with the delay?
13:43Has the meeting with Stalin changed their mind?
13:46Has that kind of influenced them to believe that, no, they're going to stick and be loyal to the DMK?
13:54Akshita, one thing is very certain.
13:56What has happened yesterday with the DMK and Congress, you know,
13:58that the president of the party is completely not happy with whatever has happened.
14:01So, that is one thing that the VCK, CPI and CPM want to actually keep in their mind, actually.
14:07So, that's the reason it looks like they are taking calculated measures.
14:09When it comes to CPI and CPM, I can vouch that they have a certain procedural method
14:13only by which they will go for the district secretary meeting, a high-level meeting,
14:17and only such a decision will be taken.
14:18And even after that, if they are going to support Vijay,
14:21they will ask for a common minimum program about his agenda when it comes to the state
14:25and when it comes to the national policies.
14:26So, it's an elaborate process.
14:27But when it comes to VCK, it's just like, no, the leader, Thirma Vallavan, will have to be, you know,
14:31they have to just go ahead and console him.
14:33And if that's done, definitely they can get VCK.
14:35But for them, Aklik TVK wants to go ahead and use Adiv Arjuna,
14:38who was already a member of VCK earlier as a deputy general secretary.
14:42So, that is what they are weighing upon.
14:43But for VCK, VCK would not want to go.
14:46They do not want to go without CPI and CPM because, Akshita, in the long run,
14:51what's going to happen to the party is something they are also looking for
14:53because they were with DMK and DMK definitely has helped them.
14:57As a party, that is with the Dalit-centric party,
14:59DMK has helped them in getting the MP position, the MLA's position as well.
15:03So, all these are being keeping in mind.
15:05Several times, VCK has clearly said that it is because of DMK only his party member,
15:09they have MLAs or MPs and such.
15:11So, that kind of loyalty factor is also there.
15:13However, if DMK says, you can decide on your own whatever you want to wish
15:17because earlier, the president of the party, M.K. Stalin said that he will not cause any kind of interference.
15:22He wants to wait and watch what TVK is doing for the next six months.
15:26And he also said that he does not want any kind of constitutional crisis.
15:29These are very important points.
15:32However, no mention was made about this recent rumour about DMK plus ADMK and such.
15:36Nobody has spoken on that matter completely openly for now.
15:39That's a different story.
15:40So, that is what actually is going ahead and bullying.
15:42A lot of things are happening.
15:43Very clearly, certain leaders within DMK do not want this alliance to break right now.
15:47Because it looked very bad for the singular progressive alliance that was led by DMK over here.
15:52But we have another 24 hours for VCK, CPM to decide on this matter.
15:55Except for the fact, you know, you are highlighting all of these reports that suggest that there could be a
15:59DMK, AIA, DMK alliance.
16:02And this is why I constantly say in politics, never say never.
16:05But let's be very clear that there was an attempt to spread a narrative,
16:09perhaps put pressure on the TVK that, you know, this is very much a possibility.
16:13Don't take things for granted.
16:14But the governor right now has given an assurance promote to the TVK that nobody else will come in.
16:21You have the right to form the government as the single largest party.
16:24So, there's no reason for you to be in a tearing hurry.
16:27Take your time, get those numbers and then come to us.
16:30That's been the messaging largely from the governor.
16:32But let me just break down the number game for you right now.
16:36At this point, as the numbers stand, we're going to be looking at the halfway mark at 118.
16:44That's a majority mark right now. The halfway mark is 117.
16:48Vijay has 107, 108, 107 plus 5 of the Congress.
16:53So, let's say that brings them to 112, even 113, keeping in mind Trichy East.
16:58At 118, he's still short of the numbers.
17:02The VCK, two seats, undecided, yet to take a call.
17:06There's a lot of pressure and chorus within the VCK saying,
17:10go ahead and join our alliance, join the TVK.
17:14The cardo within the VCK is saying, join hands with Vijay.
17:18But so far, Tol Thurma Valaman is undecided, is what we're hearing.
17:23The left, CPI, CPM with four seats, also yet to decide, undecided.
17:27They met with Stalin, met with the TVK.
17:30But tomorrow night, they say, we'll clear the air on this.
17:33But be very clear that if the left doesn't go, the VCK doesn't go.
17:36If the VCK does go, the left will go.
17:38So, the number at this point, without them, will be only at 112.
17:43Vijay needs, needs VCK and left because the RUML is also with the DMK.
17:48They contested on the DMK symbol, so they're not going anywhere.
17:51So, it's only these two parties that Vijay is completely banking on to get those numbers.
17:56Let's cut across to more breaking news that's coming in.
18:05So, the TVK has now responded for the first time to all of the rumours, reports, suggestions
18:12that the DMK, AIA, DMK alliance talks were happening.
18:16TVK's Arun Raj has sent out a message saying, people are watching.
18:21And that's because very clearly, let's state it crystal clear, that if any sort of alliance
18:26were to happen, that would be a betrayal of the people's mandate, who've clearly chosen the TVK.
18:32Who've named and given TVK that mandate, which is why they're the single largest party.
18:36So, any alliance that comes and disrupts that, obviously, is going against what the mandate
18:40of the people has been.
18:41But also, I will add this disclaimer constantly, that yes, while there's been a lot of buzz over
18:47these kind of alliance talks, nothing, absolutely nothing has moved forward in this direction.
18:54Pramod is with us for more details.
18:56Obviously, Pramod, the TVK is reacting very sharply to that pressure tactic.
19:01It will also put the onus on them to act fast.
19:04This would perhaps explain why Vijay's been in a tearing hurry to go ahead with that swearing-in ceremony.
19:12It surely is, Akshita.
19:13And as we speak, I'm actually sending this particular bite of Aarun Raj, the MLA.
19:18And he has actually said, like, you know, the people are watching.
19:21And he also says that, apparently, attempts were made.
19:23So, this is a very, very important statement.
19:26He's actually questioning, you know, like, the people are, like, watching it.
19:29And the people are questioning what was the reason OPS was sent away from AIDMK.
19:34And now people have to decide why.
19:36Just like, you know, the people had voted for these people in this particular constituency.
19:40And he then says, yes, attempts were made.
19:42Some tried to stop it, but definitely attempts were made.
19:44And people need to see what is eclectically happening over here,
19:47just to make sure that TVK does not come to power.
19:49So, Aarun Raj has finally weighed in.
19:51Aarun Raj says, yes, such an attempt has been made, Akshita.
19:55This is definitely big.
19:56Because a Tamiragam Bichikaragam leader has finally, like, you know, is coming forward and saying
20:00that such a rumour, apparently, such a rumour has kind of, like, an action was taken in that particular direction,
20:05where talks between the two major parties, the rival parties have occurred.
20:09And this is being said by the TVK leader, not us, Akshita.
20:15All right. Thanks very much, Pramodh, for joining us with all of those details.
20:19While you've got a whole lot of questions of how the TVK will get their numbers,
20:23almost to throw a spanner in the works, to add to the suspense that we're seeing
20:27in this Tamil Nadu political thriller, there's all the stock of DMK and AIA-DMK.
20:32But again, let me reiterate, nothing has come off it.
20:36There's absolutely no reason to believe that a DMK and AIA-DMK government will be formed.
20:40But let's get you a detailed report now.
20:42As promised, we sum up for you all that happened through the day.
20:45I was here from 8 in the morning.
20:48It was at about 10.30 that you had Vijay appearing here before the governor,
20:51after Governor Arlekar summoned him, asked him to meet, to give details of how exactly
20:56he planned to ensure that he had a majority government, that he planned to have the numbers.
21:00The governor, however, wasn't convinced despite Vijay's meeting, despite Vijay's assurances.
21:06Let's get you all the details.
21:14Two days, two meetings, one sticking point.
21:20Vijay can take oath only after he secures 118 signatures of support.
21:27Vijay, who emerged as the biggest winner of this election, is now finding it difficult
21:31to get the requisite numbers to form the government in Tamil Nadu.
21:34The TVK chief met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for the second time in 24 hours
21:40on Thursday.
21:41Sources say the governor is not convinced that Vijay has the numbers.
21:45Lok Bhavan sources added that Vijay was asked to come with 118 signatures
21:49and prove his majority before taking oath as chief minister.
21:55However, sources claim that the governor assured Vijay he would not invite any other party
21:59to form the government.
22:00The governor's stance has drawn sharp criticism from the Congress and even allies of the DMK.
22:05The governor is behaving like this, I don't know.
22:08Because whether he has been pressurized by his colleagues in the BJP, I don't know.
22:14Because BJP people have given in Tamil Nadu only one MLA.
22:17With one MLA, what BJP wants to do?
22:20They wanted to stop Mr. Vijay from being the chief minister of Tamil Nadu
22:24or whether they wanted to deny Tamil Nadu the right to elect their own people.
22:28This shows the BJP's arrogance.
22:52The governor is not letting somebody who is claiming with 108 plus Congresses 5.
22:58The governor's house is not the truth.
23:02It is the floor of the house. Why is he behaving like that? Vijay has caught his numbers and he
23:08is saying I will prove. Let him prove on the floor. Why are we even not giving him the democratic
23:13right with the mandate? This is something very unfair which is happening to Vijay. Yeah, this is not democracy.
23:22Vijay is scrambling to bring smaller parties together to reach the majority mark. The TVK on its own has 107
23:29MLAs and with the Congress's support the number rises to 112. The party is hoping to get the support of
23:36smaller parties like the VCK, the Left and the AMMK. With Akshita Nanda Gopal in Chennai, EuroReport, India Today.
23:47Okay, let me bring in on this broadcast our panelists who are joining us. We've got Mr. R. Kannan, political
23:53analyst, Kishore Swami, political analyst and Mr. Sumansi Raman as well. Mr. Kannan, I'd like to begin with you.
23:59I think one of the biggest talking points right now is the governor's decision to say, wait, hold on to
24:06Vijay, saying he has to prove his numbers first, no question of a minority government being formed.
24:11Now, there's been a whole lot of theories during the rounds, Mr. Kannan, of why the governor has decided to
24:17toe this line when previously there have been so many instances of minority governments being formed.
24:22And one of the talking points is that it's because Vijay mentioned the Congress's five MLAs. Is that the case?
24:30What do you think, Mr. Kannan? Is this a conspiracy as political parties are suggesting?
24:35Well, I'm not a political politician. I'm just a commentator and analyst. And we don't have all the information or
24:43the facts for us to opine whether it's a conspiracy or it is not a conspiracy.
24:50But Article 164 of the Constitution is vaguely worded. And the important thing that I think everyone should remember is
25:00that the governor has to be satisfied that there would be a stable government.
25:06And that is his prerogative. And if he fears that they might be hostility and this stability would be achieved
25:14by not very fair means, then I think he needs to satisfy himself that this wouldn't happen before he invites,
25:24extends an invitation to the leader of the single largest party to form a government.
25:29Having said that, it would have been most gracious on the part of the governor to invite Vijay to form
25:39his ministry and then to give him some time to test his majority on the floor of the House, which
25:45is where the majority test should be held, according to the Supreme Court decisions and other presidents.
25:52So I would hesitate to call it a conspiracy. But as I said, it would have been a most expansive,
26:01it would have been a very gracious move on the part of the governor if he had extended an invite.
26:08And having said that, the VCK2, I don't know, your reporter, I think you told us that Vijay met the
26:18governor on his invite a second time.
26:23If that is the case, whatever. Instead of putting the cart before the horse, by Monday late afternoon, it was
26:31very clear that Vijay would be the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
26:34What were these smaller parties doing, the left and the VCK and then whoever else, who wants to extend support?
26:40Instead of faulting the governor if they had sent their letters of support, this situation would have not arisen.
26:47Why should we just blame the governor for this awkward situation?
26:54Fair point, sir. That, you know, even the smaller parties, which right up to today, we still don't have clarity.
27:01And it's a Thursday, we still don't know if they're on board or not.
27:04So yes, you're right that while they question the governor, you know, there's no clarity of where they stand right
27:09now in the scheme of things.
27:10Just also on the point that you made on the governor, Mr. Kannan, my takeaway from that is that largely
27:15this can be subjective.
27:16That while some governors allow minority governments, others feel that they should prod more and figure out whether this will
27:23be a stable government or not.
27:24So essentially, the governor does have the power to ask those questions.
27:29And what we understand is that the governor actually asked for a meeting with Vijay today, sat him down.
27:34For 45 minutes, there was a conversation about how Vijay would ensure that he has the numbers before moving forward.
27:40And that's what exactly played out. Essentially, Vijay said that, look, I have 113.
27:46He said I would bring more numbers on. But the governors made it very clear that no question of a
27:51flow test.
27:52I want to see those 118 signatures before allowing the government to be formed for the swearing in ceremony.
27:59I bring in Kishore K. Swami also on this.
28:02Kishore, do you think that the TVK is taking a big gamble here by counting merely on the VCK and
28:08the left because they're non-committal right now and there doesn't seem to be a plan B ready?
28:14I'm grinning them. The point here to be noted is that the governor has three options.
28:20One is a three-pole alliance. Second one is a post-pole alliance.
28:24And the third being the single largest party.
28:28Now, what has happened here is Vijay did not have a three-pole alliance with Congress.
28:34And the three-pole alliance, in fact, the Congress was having with the DNP.
28:39So is the case with VCK and the Kupitianists.
28:42Now, what he has essentially done is he has not gone and stayed with the governor, that he is a
28:51single largest party.
28:51What he has essentially done is he has taken the list of the Congress, where the letter of the Congress
28:58very clearly says, the letter of support of the Congress, if you see,
29:01it clearly says that they have formed an alliance with the TVK and that alliance will continue for the Rajya
29:10Sabha and also the 2029 Lok Sabha and the local body elections,
29:14which means he has forged technically a post-pole alliance.
29:19When you talk about a post-pole alliance, then the single largest party scenario will not be taken into consideration.
29:25It will be seen as a post-pole alliance formation.
29:29Now, that formation has about 113 seats.
29:32That is what Vijay is claiming.
29:34He has submitted the signatures.
29:36Now, by himself, he is admitting that he is not having the number of 118.
29:41So, from where is he going to get that number?
29:45Then he himself is admitting that he is only having 113.
29:52No, sir, it's true.
29:53Yes, he has only 113 right now because of the Congress coming on board and five.
29:57But the question that will be asked, Mr. Kishore Swami, is it right for the governor to be asking this
30:02question?
30:03Ultimately, look, if he forms a minority government, which is the norm usually, you form a minority government,
30:08you prove your numbers in the floor of the Assembly.
30:10Why is it that suddenly there is a change in that norm?
30:13When this issue has been constantly contested before, even in the courts,
30:17very clearly the court has said that single largest party gets the prerogative to form the government.
30:23Single largest party gets the prerogative to form the government.
30:26It is a discretion of the governor to call the single largest party.
30:30But here, he is not a single largest party anymore.
30:33He is a post-pole alliance partner.
30:35So, when you look at a post-pole alliance, you will have to have the numbers.
30:39Now, from where are you going to get the numbers?
30:41Now, the Assembly is essentially divided into three blocks.
30:45One is the SPA led by the DMK.
30:49The other one is the NDA led by the AIDMK.
30:51And the third one is the TVK Congress alliance, which is led by the TVK.
30:55Now, from where is he going to get it?
30:58He has to break the alliance of either the NDA or the SPA to do it,
31:03which means it could lead to harsh trading.
31:07So, the governor cannot go along with that.
31:09So, he would essentially look at it as a post-pole alliance.
31:13His post-pole alliance is not having the numbers.
31:17Akshita, I think the governor...
31:20No, fair.
31:21You raised a fair point.
31:22Mr. Kannan.
31:23Yeah, Mr. Kannan, go ahead.
31:24I think the governor should give the benefit of the doubt to the mandate winner.
31:31I mean, the Punchi Commission and then prior to that, the Sarkaria Commission have laid out very clear guidelines.
31:39Pre-pole alliance, failing which, there's the single largest party to be invited.
31:44And then the third is the post-pole alliance.
31:46So, he and then the fourth is post-pole alliance with some in the government and some from the outside.
31:52So, Vijay meets second, third and then possibly the fourth criteria.
31:58So, the governor should extend an invite and that would have been the most gracious thing to do.
32:06You know, Mr. Kannan, my apologies.
32:09I'm just going to come back to you, making a very important point.
32:12But we're just getting in a few live updates from the DNK office where Stalin has just concluded a meeting.
32:17We're cutting across live.
32:18I'm just going to come back to you.
33:17I'm just going to come back to you.
33:26I'm just going to come back to you.
33:37I'm just going to come back to you.
34:00Okay, when asked about questions about what's happening within the Alliance,
34:16saying that the DMK will wait for a communication from the left on exactly what their decision is,
34:22whether they're going to be with the TVK or the DMK, and then the DMK would offer their comments.
34:48Okay, so when asked about the DMK, the DMK Alliance, he says, nothing's taken shape yet.
34:54We'll see what happens.
34:55Doesn't completely dismiss it.
35:12So far, we haven't met Adhavarjuna off the TVK yet.
35:35We will take a decision once we know what the left has decided.
35:56We'll see what happens.
36:27We'll see what happens.
36:28I'm also questioning right now why the governor hasn't allowed TVK to go ahead and form the government
36:35as the single largest party, considering that they have the numbers.
37:05We'll see what happens.
37:07We'll see what happens.
37:17We'll see what happens.
37:22We'll see what happens.
37:35The reason many believe that the TVK is being stalled and not being allowed to form the government is because
37:41of their tie-up with the Congress.
37:43So the VCK is suggesting that this is a conspiracy by the governor to stall the TVK and Congress from
37:48forming the government.
37:50So that's Tol Tirmavallavan there, VCK chief, at this point, still non-committal.
37:56Absolutely no clarity on whether the VCK will be joining the TVK or not.
38:01Even now, it's Thursday.
38:03The mandate came in on Monday.
38:05Three days on, the VCK is still not sure which way they're going.
38:08Tomorrow evening, they say they will give us clarity.
38:12But, Mr. Kannan, you were making an important point about what you believed the governor should have ideally done in
38:18this kind of a situation.
38:19The other aspect that I want to ask you about, sir, is the TVK relying so heavily on the VCK
38:24and the left.
38:26If these parties don't come through, it doesn't look like TVK right now has a plan B,
38:30in which case the governor's concerns are right, are correct.
38:35Well, I think, as I said earlier, we don't have all the details or the information.
38:42So maybe the governor knows something that you and I are not aware of or privy to.
38:48The most gracious thing for the governor would have been to have invited Vijay to form his government
38:55because he obviously has the mandate.
38:59He may not have the numbers, but he has the popular will behind him.
39:02So any attempt to thwart it would be unfair.
39:06Having said that, for the VCK and for the communists to stonewall this, as you rightly said,
39:14this decision that Vijay is going to be the new chief minister of Tamil Nadu
39:19was very clear from late afternoon on Monday.
39:22What were these parties doing?
39:25Why should they blame the governor?
39:27Why have they created this awkward situation?
39:30Is this fair on their part?
39:57The governor giving the go-ahead and we seem to be in a situation where the pause button
40:00has been pressed, Mr. Sumansi Raman.
40:03I think so.
40:04I think Mr. Thirmavallavan's interview right now was very, very significant in what he said
40:09when he was asked about the AIA-DMK and the DMK getting together.
40:13He did not deny it.
40:15He actually said the talks, I mean, things don't seem to have reached a particular stage,
40:19which means that somebody has been talking, right?
40:22And he says that if things progress, I will reply to your question.
40:28So he's not saying that nothing is going on.
40:31And I thought that that was extremely significant because logically what should have been his answer?
40:38No, no.
40:38That is complete rumors.
40:39I don't know where you're getting all this information from.
40:41That should have been the reply, right?
40:43He says it has not reached a particular stage.
40:47So, I mean, that to me, I think that was the highlight of the interview.
40:51And if he feels the governor is making a big mistake, let him and the two communist parties
40:58go and give their letter, no?
40:59Then the governor has to call Vijay.
41:02Instead of giving the letter, you will criticize the governor.
41:05No, sir, to you, Mr. Sumansi Raman, why is it not happening?
41:09Look, the governor has explained his position.
41:11I don't think the governor is right.
41:13I think the governor should have called Vijay and sworn him in and given him time to…
41:17No, no.
41:17I mean the VCK and the left.
41:19I mean VCK and the left, sir.
41:21Why do you think they're not giving their letters yet?
41:23Why are they stalling?
41:24I think they're waiting for something to come up between the AIA DMK and the DMK.
41:28Let's be very clear, Akshita.
41:29You are going to leave an alliance tomorrow.
41:31You're going to hold a meeting to decide whether to leave an alliance tomorrow.
41:35Will you go and meet the leader of the alliance which you plan to exit tomorrow and get his guidance?
41:40I mean, how absurd is that?
41:43Now, even tomorrow, hypothetically, the VCK communist parties offer support to the TVK.
41:50It will be clearly said that they're doing it on the instructions or advice of Mr. Stalin.
41:56And Vijay's government will depend on the mercy of the DMK.
42:00Is it not obvious?
42:01Look, why would you go publicly and meet Mr. Stalin today if you plan to hold a meeting to decide
42:10on pulling out of the DMK alliance tomorrow?
42:13Tell me, does it make any sense?
42:15So, clearly, there is something going on.
42:18No, no, you're right.
42:18That's a very pertinent question.
42:21Yeah, they are buying time.
42:22They are buying time to see if anything could be worked out between the DMK and the AIA DMK.
42:27If something is worked out in the next 24 to 36 hours, one of them will go and stake a
42:36claim to form the government.
42:37If nothing works out, then they'll probably throw in the towel.
42:41Absolutely shocking.
42:42It will be absolutely shocking if something like that happens.
42:46Because all the while, while it seemed like, you know, this was just about setting a certain narrative, while it
42:51was about putting pressure on Vijay,
42:54right now, you've got Tol Thirma Valleva not completely dismissing it.
42:57We don't know how much he's really privy to the conversation that's happening or at which level it's happening.
43:02So, we don't want to jump the gun on it because we understand the gravity of what we're talking about
43:06when we refer to a DMK, AIA DMK alliance.
43:09So, we will take every update that comes in on that alliance with a pinch of salt till there's some
43:14concrete information.
43:15The fact that Stalin denied it is what's led to questions for whether it's even possible for something like this
43:20to happen.
43:21But I want to cut across to a news break also quickly that's coming in right now.
43:24The DMK has passed a resolution condemning the Congress over joining hands with the TVK and leaving the DMK.
43:32All this while, while the Congress was hoping that them switching over to the TVK will not mean that it's
43:39a complete divorce with the DMK.
43:41So much so that they were speaking of the DMK still being a part of the India bloc following what
43:45they called the Kerala model.
43:47Of the left being part of the India bloc but they being rivals in Kerala.
43:50They considered and pitched that kind of an option suggesting that the DMK won't leave the India bloc.
43:56But now that the DMK has passed a resolution condemning the Congress, what really will that mean?
44:01Does that mean that the DMK is effectively cutting all ties and so they are no longer part of the
44:06India bloc?
44:06Remember there's been no statement from Stalin or any of the DMK first family as they're called over the fact
44:14that Congress has left them and gone to the TVK the first instance that they got.
44:18But you have had statements from senior leaders referring to this as a betrayal, calling it opportunism, saying that they're
44:25backstabbers.
44:26And now a resolution also passed in the presence of Stalin where they've condemned Congress for switching over to the
44:33TVK.
44:34So that's the big update that's also come in.
44:37As we track all of that, I'll bring in Mr. Kishore Swami as well.
44:41Okay, before that, Pramod Madhav is joining us live with more details.
44:44Pramod, give us a sense of what really has been mentioned in that resolution.
44:47Is it now guaranteed that the DMK is also out of the India bloc because the Congress keeps suggesting that
44:53that's still on the table?
44:57Well, Akshita, very clearly it looks like Congress needs to go ahead and have a proper talk or like in
45:02a proper channels
45:02because like they have decided to exit the DMK alliance, but there seems to be no kind of like in
45:07a discussion with Congress or in DMK over it
45:09because right now we had this conversation with the organization secretary, that is TK Sulangovan.
45:13He was a part of the meeting today, a short meeting of course, but the DMK President Stalin and his
45:17son, Uthini Stalin,
45:18who's also a member from Triplican Chairpok, was also present over here.
45:21Four resolutions were passed.
45:23Two of them was about thanking and one is about working for the people.
45:26My apologies for stepping in, but I have the exact text of the DMK resolution on Congress and it's quite
45:35scathing.
45:36I'll just read it out for our viewers.
45:38DMK's resolution on Congress says this.
45:40Our party president did not even receive a courtesy visit or a word of thanks from the Congress leadership after
45:48the victory.
45:49Instead, the Congress party betrayed us and stabbed us in the back.
45:52What the BJP does in several states, the Congress has now done to us in Tamil Nadu.
45:58This meeting strongly condemns the sudden shift of the Congress party, which betrayed its allies and undermined friendly political forces.
46:08This is big that's coming in right now.
46:09The DMK going all out to question the Congress right now and highlighting the fact, Pramod, that there was no
46:16courtesy visit event.
46:17That much like what VCK and left are doing of meeting Stalin, that courtesy visit, that wasn't done by the
46:22Congress.
46:23They did not meet Stalin, did not convey anything to him.
46:26But just immediately, in a matter of hours, started the conversation, oh, should we go with the TVK?
46:31The DMK hasn't taken kindly to that.
46:36It surely is not, Akshita, and actually, we also, in the statement, we can use it, like, see the words
46:40that have been used.
46:40That is, stabbing our party leader in the back and also about, like, you know, not having any kind of
46:45gratitude.
46:47This is seriously, like, major words that have been used over here.
46:50Very clearly, it looks like DMK is not going to forgive Congress in any manner.
46:55No matter what kind of nature of Congress comes and says that, like, they would like to have a kind
46:58of program for Tamil Nadu separate and for the national level separate,
47:01TK Silangorban very clearly says that IndyBlock is no more.
47:04He says that they will go ahead and, like, you know, find something else.
47:08No longer IndyBlock is functioning as per the DMK, like, you know, senior party leader, TK Silangorban.
47:13So this itself is a very big news.
47:14What Congress has done, DMK is not ready to forgive or forget, Akshita.
47:23Very clearly, the DMK has gone on to say that this shows the Congress party has not changed its old
47:30character.
47:31The Congress party changed to an alternative party within three days, risking the victory achieved through the hard work of
47:37the Alliance party workers.
47:39The cruelty of the candidates from the Congress party contesting the constituencies allotted to the DMK also took place.
47:46The Congress is a party that did not behave honestly, not after the elections, but during the elections.
47:52Kishore K. Swami is joining us with more details on this.
47:54If I throw up this scenario, Kishore, that the TVK doesn't get the numbers of the VCK and the left
47:59on to their side,
48:00and that they are forced to maybe look towards the AIA-DMK,
48:03the Congress then is in a situation where they don't know where to go.
48:07The DMK has been so harsh with their words, there's no question of the DMK taking back the Congress.
48:12And if the TVK joins hands with the AIA-DMK, where does that leave the Congress?
48:16My question is, did the Congress jump the gun in going forward and forging this alliance?
48:20When a coalition government, there are so many permutations and combinations that you wait and see before you join hands.
48:28Absolutely. See, there are two things. The Congress deserves this.
48:31In fact, the DMK leader, M.K. Stalin, was magnanimous enough to not take up seriously this issue.
48:40But if you look at it carefully, the Congress went on a mandate for Stalin.
48:47And essentially, it was against Vijay.
48:50And it was also, Vijay's stand was against what the Congress and the DMK were standing for.
48:56So, having done that.
49:00Okay, Mr. Kishore Kishore, my apologies.
49:04And I really apologize to all of our panelists.
49:06But unfortunately, I'm being bombarded by news breaks coming again.
49:10TK's Ellen Goman is speaking on those resolutions that have been passed in the meeting just now.
49:16Sir, a meeting has been held about the MLA's and the former press.
49:19I mean, the president of DMK also was over here.
49:21Was there any resolution passed in this meeting?
49:23Yes, four resolutions were passed. That will be distributed to you.
49:26Is it one of the resolutions to condemn Congress?
49:28Yes.
49:29For what purposes?
49:30One, to thank the people.
49:31Okay.
49:32To thank our leader for campaigning and to condemn Congress.
49:37And another resolution, a general resolution.
49:41When is the DMK?
49:42Whether we lost the elections or not, we will work for the people.
49:46When is DMK going to choose the legislative party head?
49:49Before the assembly date is announced.
49:52Like today also a crucial meeting was held with the VCK, CPI and CPI, CPM.
49:57What kind of decision was taken over there?
49:59They have said that they will consider their leadership, national leadership and come back to us.
50:04Earlier when we spoke, you very clearly said that you cannot talk about Congress and apparently that's the same way
50:08they actually left the alliance.
50:10But you said VCK left will not go. Is it the same stance till now?
50:13Yeah, they said that we will consult our leadership and VCK had said that we will go with it.
50:21Whatever decision these two communist parties take, we will be with them.
50:25What does DMK want to do? Do you want to retain them?
50:27We are not forcing anybody to do anything. Let them come with a decision.
50:31Sir, like right now as Congress also has left this particular alliance, what is going to be the future of
50:35IndieBlock?
50:37That is gone. We will reframe our alliance.
50:43Okay, that's Pramod Madhav in conversation with TKS, Alan Govan, the DMK passing a scathing resolution, lashing out at the
50:49Congress,
50:50calling this a betrayal, saying very clearly they have shown their true character
50:54and the fact that they switched over to the TVK without so much as a courtesy visit to Stalin speaks
50:59about the character of the Congress.
51:01I think it's safe to say there's no question of the DMK being a part of the India bloc now.
51:05This is a forever divorce. We never say never in politics.
51:08But for now, it's very clear that things are very, very bitter between DMK and Congress.
51:13I'd like to thank all of our panellists for joining us on this broadcast.
51:15Thanks to my colleagues Pramod and Anagar also for joining us over the last one hour.
51:21Our marathon coverage continues here on India Today.
51:24Over the next 24 hours, I expect more developments, more details of the power and number games,
51:29and more twists and turns.
51:31For the moment, thanks very much for tuning in to this special broadcast on India Today.
51:36We'll see you next time.
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