Vijay and Governor RV Arlekar are scheduled to meet for the third consecutive day at 4:30 pm today as efforts continue to resolve the post-election deadlock over government formation.
BY PC Bureau
May 8, 2026: Actor-turned-politician Talapahty Vijay has got the magic number to form the government, with sources claiming his party TVK is now backed by enough MLAs to cross the majority mark in Tamil Nadu’s 234-member Assembly.
Vijay and Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar are scheduled to meet at 4:30 pm today for the third consecutive day, in a renewed attempt to break the deadlock over government formation following last month’s Assembly elections.
According to sources, Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is now projecting support from five Congress MLAs, two each from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Communist Party of India, taking the total backing to 118—just above the majority threshold.
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Despite this claimed majority, Governor Arlekar has so far not invited Vijay to form the government. During their earlier meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, the Governor reportedly raised concerns over the arithmetic and stability of the support base, including how Vijay intended to run a government with 113–118 MLAs and which alliances would formally hold.
TVK, which emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats in its electoral debut, has disrupted Tamil Nadu’s long-standing Dravidian political order but still fell short of the majority mark, triggering intense post-poll negotiations.
DMK-Congress cadres clash in Mayiladuthurai town.
The clash broke out shortly after Congress members concluded a protest in support of TVK leader Vijay against the Governor. Congress cadres who had gathered at a tea shop were allegedly confronted by DMK youth wing members, who… pic.twitter.com/yoonzJ2rYl
— Iniya Nandan (@Iniyanandan25) May 8, 2026
To strengthen its position, TVK has also cited conditional backing from Congress, reportedly on the understanding that it will not align with what Congress terms “communal forces,” a reference to the BJP. However, the stance of key allies like VCK and the Left—previously aligned with the DMK—remains a critical factor in the ongoing impasse.
Today’s meeting is being seen as a decisive moment, with the Governor expected to reassess Vijay’s claim to form the government based on the latest numbers and written confirmations of support.
Meanwhile, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan said the party has not held any discussions on an alliance with the AIADMK and will wait until May 10, the deadline reportedly set by the Governor, to see whether TVK chief Vijay is able to secure a stable majority. He added that the DMK would consult its allies only if alternative political arrangements become necessary.
Amid growing speculation over possible post-poll realignments, the AIADMK also dismissed reports of any understanding with the DMK, calling them “just rumours.”
