TVK supporters rally outside Vijay house amid govt fomation talks
Even a delegation of 12 pastors came from Andhra Pradesh at the party headquarters to extend their wishes to the TVK chief
High drama prevailed on Friday (May 8) outside the residence of Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Neelangarai, Chennai, as workers and supporters of the party assembled in large numbers amid growing uncertainty over formation of the new government in Tamil Nadu.
Members of the crowd, some of whom wearing the TVK "uniform" — a beige trousers-and-white shirt combination worn by Vijay since entering politics — chanted slogans hailing the actor-politician as the "eternal chief minister".
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The development took place amid speculation over possible alliances to reach the majority mark and the TVK's stand on the current political situation in the state.
Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes after a supporter riding a motorcycle stopped abruptly outside the guarded premises and shouted slogans in support of Vijay before being confronted by security personnel and bystanders.
Loyalists raised slogans such as "Thalapathy Vaazhga" (long live Thalapathy) and "Endrendrum Mudhalvar" (eternal chief minister), expressing confidence in Vijay’s eventual rise to power despite the ongoing political deadlock.
"People will soon uproot the current administration and install the ‘Thalapathy’ government," a supporter told PTI Videos, reflecting growing impatience among grassroots workers over the TVK’s role in the state’s political future.
Support comes from Andhra
The fervour was not limited to Tamil Nadu alone.
A delegation of 12 pastors from Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district arrived at the party headquarters in Panaiyur to offer prayers and extend their wishes to Vijay.
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"We have come from West Godavari with a strong desire to meet Vijay sir and offer our blessings," Pastor Stanley Thomas, who led the group, told PTI Videos.
The delegation said the visit reflected Vijay’s growing appeal beyond Tamil Nadu and expressed hope of meeting him personally.
As the crowd swelled, local police and private security personnel struggled to maintain order.
While some workers attempted to breach barricades demanding entry to meet their leader, others appealed for calm and urged supporters to remain patient.
The demonstration highlights increasing pressure on the TVK leadership to clarify its roadmap for the upcoming elections and its position on the ongoing government formation deadlock.
TVK workers detained in Chennai
Meanwhile, at Lok Bhavan, Chennai, where protests have continued for the past two days, police detained several TVK workers, including a party member identified as Suresh, following a high-decibel protest over the delay in government formation.
The protesters, who had gathered outside the governor’s residence, demanded that Vijay be immediately invited to take the oath as CM.
Guv seeks proof of majority
The protest followed a meeting between Vijay and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, which reportedly ended without a breakthrough after the governor sought concrete proof of majority support in the 234-member Assembly. The TVK ended up as the single-largest party in the April 23 elections but fell 10 short of the majority mark of 118.
TVK workers raised slogans against what they described as an unjustified delay by the Lok Bhavan.
"Vijay sir has won as an individual, without any established political backing. Do not do him this injustice," one worker shouted before being taken away by police.
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Supporters also warned of a "massive public backlash" if the mandate was ignored.
"Once Vijay sir takes over as CM, everyone will see the change. We are here to demand the swearing-in ceremony he deserves," said Suresh shortly before his detention.
The political situation in Tamil Nadu remains fluid as stakeholders await the governor’s next constitutional step in an Assembly where no party has secured a clear majority.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)—both of which suffered significant losses to the TVK—are reportedly exploring tactical manoeuvres to navigate the hung Assembly.
The TVK, with 108 seats and the support of Congress’s five MLAs, is still short of the majority mark. The DMK and AIADMK secured 59 and 47 seats, respectively.
(With agency inputs)