TVK assures allies: no cabinet berths for AIADMK rebels — CPI(M) and VCK warnings heeded

CPI(M) State Secretary P. Shanmugam stated that the basis for extending support to TVK is to prevent the imposition of President's Rule and thereby not allow the "backdoor entry of the BJP's rule." He said: "No party got a majority and TVK emerged as the single largest party and so, only they have the scope to form the government — thus, with the idea of facilitating governance by a party elected by the people, the Left parties and the VCK extended support to the TVK from outside. Getting support from the AIADMK or inducting members of the AIADMK rebel group in the Cabinet will go against the verdict of the people and also the TVK's goal of clean governance. In the event of the TVK taking a stand of accommodating the AIADMK rebel group in the Council of Ministers, the CPI(M) will then reconsider its stand of support to the TVK."

Following this warning from CPI(M) and similar objections from the VCK, the TVK assured its post-poll allies that no cabinet positions would be offered to the AIADMK rebel faction, with the party taking the position that the rebels supporting the floor test was their own political decision and CM Vijay had no obligation to reward them for it.