MAY 9, 2026
Vijay’s TVK to form govt in Tamil Nadu.
The government formation deadlock in Tamil Nadu appeared to end on Saturday after the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) extended support to Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), taking the coalition to the crucial halfway mark in the 234-member Assembly.
TVK leader Adhav Arjuna declared ‘victory’ and displayed a letter from the VCK backing the party’s bid to form the government, reported PTI. Sources told NDTV that the support was unconditional and would help pave the way for Tamil Nadu’s first coalition government in decades.
VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan and Legislature Party Leader Vanni Arasu submitted letters to the Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar extending unconditional support to TVK for the formation of the government in the state.
IUML also extended unconditional support to TVK to form, reported ANI. The support pushed the coalition to the majority mark of 120 seats in the 234-member Assembly. After this, Vijay is expected to meet the Governor.
Coalition arithmetic changes
Backed by the VCK and the IUML, the alliance’s strength has now risen to 120 seats, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 118.
Here’s the coalition arithmetic:
— TVK: 107
— Congress: 5
— CPI: 2
— CPI(M): 2
— VCK: 2
— IUML: 2
The support from the Thol Thirumavalavan-led VCK came after days of uncertainty over whether the party would back Vijay’s bid for power. Before the VCK’s decision, the TVK-led alliance had the support of 116 MLA-elects, including five Congress legislators and four members from Left parties.
The Congress, according to reports, backed the coalition with conditions and was expecting two ministerial berths. At the same time, the Left parties extended unconditional support and reportedly decided to stay out of the Cabinet.
Reports also suggested that three AIADMK MLAs may rebel and join the TVK camp.
Vijay, who emerged as the central figure in the post-poll political negotiations, had made several visits to Lok Bhavan in an attempt to convince Governor RV Arlekar that he commanded majority support. However, reports said the Governor insisted on letters of support from at least 118 MLAs before inviting him to form the government.
For nearly three days, uncertainty persisted because of conflicting signals from the VCK leadership over whether it would formally join hands with the TVK.
VCK delays decision, discusses power-sharing
Earlier in the day, VCK spokesperson K K Pavalan had said that Thirumavalavan would announce the party’s official stand at 4 pm after the party’s high-level committee authorised him to take the final call.
Even as support discussions continued, reports emerged that the VCK was considering demanding key positions in the new dispensation if it joined the government.
According to a source in the party, the VCK discussed seeking the Deputy Chief Minister’s post for Thirumavalavan and Cabinet positions for its two newly elected MLAs during a virtual meeting chaired by him on Friday evening.
The source also said the party wanted Thirumavalavan to contest from Tiruchirappalli East if Vijay vacates the constituency. Vijay, who won from two seats in the April 23 Assembly election, is expected to retain Perambur in Chennai.
The VCK leadership also reportedly discussed ensuring the continuation of commissions constituted by the previous government to investigate caste killings and securing reservations in promotions for Dalits in government jobs.
VCK deputy general secretary Vanni Arasu told reporters that the party’s stand on power-sharing “reflected the people’s feelings,” though he declined to elaborate further.
He also said the VCK opposed the Governor’s rule in the state and wanted the TVK, which had received the people’s mandate, to form the government.
“Like you, even I am waiting for my leader to announce the party’s decision on supporting TVK,” he said before the formal declaration.
Amid the political developments, Thirumavalavan met outgoing Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin on Friday night.
TVK emerges as major political force
The TVK, launched only two years ago by actor Vijay, emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly election, winning 108 seats and ending the decades-long dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu politics.
With Vijay winning from two constituencies, the TVK currently has 107 MLAs in the Assembly.
The DMK secured 59 seats, while the AIADMK won 47. Congress won five seats and the PMK four. The VCK, IUML, CPI, and CPM won two seats each, while the BJP, DMDK, and AMMK secured one seat apiece.
Horse-trading allegations surface
The political drama also saw allegations of “horse-trading” levelled against the TVK by AMMK chief T T V Dhinakaran.
Dhinakaran accused the Vijay-led party of using a “forged” support letter from AMMK MLA-designate S Kamaraj to stake a claim to form the government. He questioned why the “original letter” was not submitted to the Governor and alleged that the document may have been “AI-generated”.
In response, the TVK released a video purportedly showing Kamaraj signing the support letter inside a car and denied all allegations.
TVK leaders asserted that Vijay “would not stoop down to such a low” and rejected accusations of horse-trading.
Dhinakaran later lodged a complaint with the Guindy police and warned that he would pursue legal action. Appearing alongside him, Kamaraj claimed the support letter was “fake” and insisted he had not been contacted by the TVK.
DMK MP P Wilson reacted to the controversy on X, saying: “I now understand what they meant when they said they are bringing change to TN politics – Tamil Nadu hasn’t seen horse trading attempts like this in many years.”
Courtesy/Source: Monecyontrol / PTI
