The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leadership has begun exploring the possibility of extending outside support to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in Tamil Nadu, a development that could have significant implications for government formation in the state. On Thursday, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar invited Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president C. Joseph Vijay and explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the government, has not been established.

The DMK's move to consider backing the AIADMK is seen as a significant shift in the party's stance, and is reportedly driven by pressure from second-line party leaders. DMK president M.K. Stalin has held discussions with the leaders of the Communist Party of India, the CPI(M), and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and has indicated that the party would not join the government but would allow its allies to take a decision on joining.

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has 234 members, and the current seat distribution is: TVK (112 seats, including the support of the five elected candidates of the Congress), AIADMK (requires the support of its allies and other parties to form a government). The CPI, CPI(M), and VCK, which have two seats each, hold the key to any further developments in the state's politics.

The DMK has accused the Congress of betrayal, alleging that the party quit the alliance and extended support to the TVK despite being allotted a Rajya Sabha seat and 28 Assembly seats in the alliance. The party has also criticized the Congress for failing to condemn remarks made against the alliance during seat-sharing talks.

The immediate next steps in the government formation process will depend on the decisions taken by the various parties involved. The Governor is likely to continue playing a key role in facilitating discussions between the parties, and the DMK's decision to consider backing the AIADMK will be closely watched.