TVK has intensified negotiations with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Pattali Makkal Katchi and Left parties in a last-minute effort to secure enough MLAs to stake claim to power in Tamil Nadu.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi/Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor R.V. Arlekar on Thursday morning in a renewed effort to convince Lok Bhavan that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led alliance has the numbers required to form a stable government after its strong showing in last month’s Assembly elections.
Sources familiar with the developments said Vijay informed the Governor that he was prepared to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly at the earliest opportunity. He also reportedly indicated that the party is prepared to explore legal remedies if the Governor declines this second formal bid to stake claim to form the government.
Vijay had also met the Governor on Wednesday, but the request was not accepted amid uncertainty over whether the TVK-led coalition had crossed the halfway mark. The swearing-in ceremony, initially expected to take place on Thursday afternoon with Vijay taking oath as Chief Minister, has now been put on hold.
Numbers Still Tight for TVK
The majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly stands at 118. Sources said the TVK remains five seats short, even after factoring in the Congress party’s reported offer of support from its five MLAs.
The party has now intensified talks with smaller regional and ideological allies to bridge the gap. Vijay is believed to favour partnerships with smaller Tamil-centric parties to ensure smoother coordination in government. Parties currently being approached include:
- Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), which holds two seats and is currently aligned with the defeated DMK. Sources said the party has sought more time before making a decision, though its backing is being seen as crucial.
- Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), which has four MLAs and is also engaged in discussions despite its traditional proximity to the BJP.
- The Left parties — Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist) — which together account for four seats and have reportedly been formally approached. A decision from them is expected later in the day.
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If the Congress maintains its support and the TVK secures backing from either the VCK, PMK, or the Left parties in the required combination, the alliance could touch 119 seats — just above the majority threshold. In that case, the Governor would likely invite Vijay to form the government.
Governor acting as HMV for Central govt. Governor Tamilnadu not allowing @TVKVijayHQ to form govt in Tamilnadu, will fall on his own face. There is no other claimant and Vijay has the largest party. From Narsimha Rao to Vajpayee and even in states, largest party head is given the…
— Yashovardhan Jha Azad (@yashoazad) May 7, 2026
AIADMK Option Remains Complicated
Another possibility under discussion is an understanding with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which has 47 MLAs in the Assembly. Reports suggest nearly 30 legislators within the party may be open to supporting Vijay. However, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami has firmly opposed extending support to his rival, making any formal tie-up unlikely for now.
Political Stakes Rise
The fast-moving developments follow TVK’s impressive electoral performance, which unseated the ruling DMK and altered Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. The Congress, previously aligned with the DMK, is understood to have offered support after backchannel discussions and direct talks with Vijay.
The Governor’s insistence on clear proof of majority support has delayed government formation, triggering intense political negotiations in both Chennai and New Delhi.
For now, the oath-taking ceremony remains postponed, with political attention focused on the decisions of the VCK and Left parties, which could determine whether Tamil Nadu gets a new Chief Minister within hours or faces further uncertainty in the days ahead.
