Failed Bid to Appoint Thirumavalavan as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

A last-minute political maneuver to appoint Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has failed, according to senior party sources. The proposal emerged after initial negotiations for an AIADMK government with DMK support encountered significant hurdles. The plan involved securing backing from both major Dravidian parties to make Thirumavalavan the first Scheduled Caste Chief Minister in the state's history. However, the AIADMK struggled to secure consent from its MLAs, and Thirumavalavan ultimately rejected the offer. He cited concerns that accepting the role would appear as hijacking the mandate of the TVK, which won 108 constituencies, while the VCK secured only two seats. Additionally, Left parties refused to support an AIADMK-led arrangement due to perceived BJP influence. Consequently, the VCK and Left fronts threw their support behind the TVK to prevent the imposition of Governor’s rule. Thirumavalavan formally submitted his letter of support to TVK leader Adhav Arjuna on May 9, paving the way for C. Joseph Vijay to assume the Chief Minister's office.