TVK chief Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Friday to stake claim to form the government.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Oath Ceremony Live: The suspense regarding government formation in Tamil Nadu increased further with the death of actor-turned-politician C Joseph on Saturday. Victory Trying to garner enough support to form the next government, he met Governor Rajendra Arlekar for his third time in three days. Along with senior leaders of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, Vijay handed over letters of support from the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) at Lok Bhavan in Chennai.
However, no official announcement has been made yet by the Governor’s office. People aware of the developments said TVK has not yet been able to clearly demonstrate majority support in the 234-member TN Assembly.
TVK close to majority mark
in 234 members Tamil Nadu AssemblyAny party or alliance needs 118 MLAs to cross the majority mark and form the government.
In the elections, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam won 108 seats on its own and emerged as the largest party.
The party is currently supported by:
- 5 Congress MLAs
- 2 CPI MLAs
- 2 CPI(M) MLAs
In this way, the camp led by Vijay has the support of a total of 117 MLAs.
However, Vijay won from two constituencies and will have to vacate one seat within 14 days of the results being formally notified. As per the current situation, the group effectively stands at 117 – just one MLA short of the 118 required for majority.
If Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi (VCK) formally extends support with its 2 MLAs, the TVK-led block’s tally will rise to 119, comfortably crossing the majority mark.
Left parties support, VCK undecided
CPI and CPI(M), which have two MLAs each, formally extended support to TVK and submitted letters in support of the party.
But uncertainty continued over the stand of Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi (VCK). HT sources said no letter of support from VCK was part of the memorandum submitted by TVK to the governor on Friday.
However, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian suggested that VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan had already indicated that he would support the TVK if the Left parties supported it.
Veerapandian said, “TVK approached CPI, CPI(M) and VCK. We had a party meeting. In a democracy, it is normal to have ups and downs. The people of Tamil Nadu have supported and decided to elect TVK. We have taken the decision democratically.”
CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said the Left parties had decided to support TVK to avoid prolonged uncertainty in the state.
“Since if the government is not formed by the 10th, President’s rule will be imposed. And BJP is trying to enter Tamil Nadu through the back door. So to end this, CPI and CPI(M) have decided to support TVK,” he said.
Shanmugam also made it clear that the Left parties would support the government from outside and would not seek cabinet posts.
Congress wants to join the government
The Indian National Congress indicated that it wanted to be part of the government rather than provide outside support.
Tamil Nadu Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai said TVK had offered the party two ministerial posts and a Rajya Sabha seat.
“They (TVK) have said there are two ministers and one Rajya Sabha member. However, the final decision on the number of departments and specific demands depends on the national leadership of the Congress,” he said.
At the same time, a social media post by VCK deputy general secretary Vanni Arasu demanding the post of deputy chief minister along with a cabinet berth for the party added another layer to the talks.
IUML refuses to support TVK
Meanwhile, the Indian Union Muslim League denied reports that it had supported TVK.
IUML leader AM Shahjahan dismissed speculations about support letters and confirmed the party’s alliance with the DMK-led alliance.
“We did not support anyone. We did not give any letter to anyone. These are all rumours. We will remain in the alliance under the leadership of DMK,” he told reporters.
Asked whether the party would support TVK, Shahjahan replied, “There is no question of it. We are moving forward under the DMK alliance.”
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However, no official announcement has been made yet by the Governor’s office. People aware of the developments said TVK has not yet been able to clearly demonstrate majority support in the 234-member TN Assembly.
TVK close to majority mark
in 234 members Tamil Nadu AssemblyAny party or alliance needs 118 MLAs to cross the majority mark and form the government.
In the elections, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam won 108 seats on its own and emerged as the largest party.
The party is currently supported by:
- 5 Congress MLAs
- 2 CPI MLAs
- 2 CPI(M) MLAs
In this way, the camp led by Vijay has the support of a total of 117 MLAs.
However, Vijay won from two constituencies and will have to vacate one seat within 14 days of the results being formally notified. As per the current situation, the group effectively stands at 117 – just one MLA short of the 118 required for majority.
If Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi (VCK) formally extends support with its 2 MLAs, the TVK-led block’s tally will rise to 119, comfortably crossing the majority mark.
Left parties support, VCK undecided
CPI and CPI(M), which have two MLAs each, formally extended support to TVK and submitted letters in support of the party.
But uncertainty continued over the stand of Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi (VCK). HT sources said no letter of support from VCK was part of the memorandum submitted by TVK to the governor on Friday.
However, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian suggested that VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan had already indicated that he would support the TVK if the Left parties supported it.
Veerapandian said, “TVK approached CPI, CPI(M) and VCK. We had a party meeting. In a democracy, it is normal to have ups and downs. The people of Tamil Nadu have supported and decided to elect TVK. We have taken the decision democratically.”
CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said the Left parties had decided to support TVK to avoid prolonged uncertainty in the state.
“Since if the government is not formed by the 10th, President’s rule will be imposed. And BJP is trying to enter Tamil Nadu through the back door. So to end this, CPI and CPI(M) have decided to support TVK,” he said.
Shanmugam also made it clear that the Left parties would support the government from outside and would not seek cabinet posts.
Congress wants to join the government
The Indian National Congress indicated that it wanted to be part of the government rather than provide outside support.
Tamil Nadu Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai said TVK had offered the party two ministerial posts and a Rajya Sabha seat.
“They (TVK) have said there are two ministers and one Rajya Sabha member. However, the final decision on the number of departments and specific demands depends on the national leadership of the Congress,” he said.
At the same time, a social media post by VCK deputy general secretary Vanni Arasu demanding the post of deputy chief minister along with a cabinet berth for the party added another layer to the talks.
IUML refuses to support TVK
Meanwhile, the Indian Union Muslim League denied reports that it had supported TVK.
IUML leader AM Shahjahan dismissed speculations about support letters and confirmed the party’s alliance with the DMK-led alliance.
“We did not support anyone. We did not give any letter to anyone. These are all rumours. We will remain in the alliance under the leadership of DMK,” he told reporters.
Asked whether the party would support TVK, Shahjahan replied, “There is no question of it. We are moving forward under the DMK alliance.”
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May 09, 2026 9:12:47 am First
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Oath Ceremony LIVE: What will happen if no government is formed by tomorrow?
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Oath Ceremony Live: The tenure of the 16th TN Assembly is ending on May 10 (Sunday), leaving very little time for the parties to complete the government formation process.
As the largest party, TVK is expected to get the first chance to form a government if it can show majority support.
The Vijay-led party is currently short of the required 118 seats in the 234-member assembly. If it fails to prove majority, Governor Rajendra Arlekar may explore other options, including inviting an alternative alliance led by DMK or AIADMK.
However, if no party or coalition is able to demonstrate majority support, the state may move towards President’s rule.
In such a situation, the Governor may recommend central rule in the state, which may ultimately lead to dissolution of the Assembly and fresh elections within six months.
