Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay met with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Wednesday to formally stake his claim to form the next government in Tamil Nadu. This high-stakes development follows a historic election cycle where the TVK emerged as the single-largest party, securing 108 seats in the 234-member assembly. Although the party remains ten seats short of the 118-seat majority requirement, the actor-turned-politician has moved forward with the constitutional process to establish his administration. Insiders within the party indicate that preparations are already underway for an official oath-taking ceremony, which is expected to take place on May 7.
The political landscape in the state underwent a dramatic shift as the Congress party, which holds five seats, officially severed its long-standing alliance with the DMK to back the TVK. AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar confirmed the move, noting that the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee decided to extend full support following a formal request from Vijay. This alliance, however, comes with a specific condition: the Congress has demanded that the TVK ensure communal forces that do not adhere to the Constitution of India are strictly excluded from the coalition. The DMK, having secured 59 seats, has reacted with visible frustration, characterizing the Congress’s sudden departure from their veteran partnership as an act of backstabbing.
Despite the newfound support from the Congress, the TVK continues to face a numerical challenge to secure a stable majority. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which holds two seats, has yet to announce its stance, with a final decision resting on party president Thol Thirumavalavan. Meanwhile, other regional players have largely closed ranks around the DMK. The Left parties—including the CPI and CPI(M)—along with the Indian Union Muslim League have explicitly ruled out any possibility of supporting Vijay’s party, reaffirming their loyalty to M K Stalin during a series of meetings at the party headquarters. As the TVK prepares for an impending floor test, all eyes remain on the smaller parties and independents who may hold the key to the state’s executive future.
