Actor-turned-politician Vijay is set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at 11 a.m. on Saturday after securing majority support to form the government following the Assembly election results.
The development comes after Vijay held his third round of discussions with Tamil Nadu Governor R. V. Arlekar regarding government formation. The latest meeting is understood to have cleared the final procedural steps for the swearing-in ceremony.
Vijay's party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, had emerged as the single largest political force in the state elections but initially fell short of the majority mark. The party later secured the backing of Left parties and allies, paving the way for Vijay to formally assume office.
Earlier in the day, the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) announced unconditional support to TVK for government formation in Tamil Nadu.
Following an executive committee meeting, CPI State Secretary Veerapandian said the party respected the people's mandate and had democratically decided to support TVK.
"TVK approached CPI, CPI(M) and VCK. It is normal in a democracy to have ups and downs. Tamil Nadu people have supported and decided to elect TVK. We have taken this decision democratically," he said.
Tamil Nadu CPI(M) Secretary Shanmugam said the support was aimed at ensuring political stability and avoiding delays in government formation. He added that the parties also wanted to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party from entering Tamil Nadu politics "through the back door."
Shanmugam confirmed that the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi would also support TVK.
The announcement was made during a legislature party meeting in Kolkata attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who served as the central observer, and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the co-observer for the meeting.
Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh proposed Adhikari's name at the meeting.
"I announce the name of Suvendu Adhikari elected as Leader of West Bengal BJP Legislative Party," Shah said.
The BJP's victory marks the end of 15 years of rule by the All India Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and represents one of the party's biggest electoral breakthroughs in the state.
"The atmosphere that had been created since the Communist era was deepened by Mamata Banerjee, and it was almost impossible to cast your vote there," Shah said. "I am very thankful for the huge victory that the people of Bengal have given us by trusting BJP and our leader, Narendra Modi. This is Shyama Prasad Mukherjee's government."
Adhikari, who joined the BJP in 2020 after leaving the Trinamool Congress, has emerged as one of the party's most prominent leaders in West Bengal. He defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 and recently won the Bhabanipur seat by more than 15,000 votes.
"Bhoi (fear) is out and, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has said, bharosa (trust) is in," Adhikari said. "The people of Bengal have given us a historic mandate. We will fulfil all the promises made in the BJP's poll manifesto in Bengal."
The BJP is also considering appointing two deputy chief ministers, including one woman leader. Among the names being discussed are Agnimitra Paul and Shankar Ghosh.
The swearing-in ceremony for the new West Bengal government is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah, BJP national president Nitin Nabin and chief ministers from BJP-ruled states are expected to attend.
Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are now set to witness major political transitions, with Vijay and Adhikari preparing to take charge after securing crucial support and electoral mandates in their respective states.
