Vijay Stakes Claim to Form Government After TVK Emerges Single Largest Party in Tamil Nadu

May 2026 : C. Joseph Vijay on Wednesday formally staked claim to form the next government in Tamil Nadu after his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Assembly following the recently concluded elections.

Vijay arrived at Lok Bhavan to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar amid heightened political activity and intense speculation over government formation in the state.

He was accompanied by senior TVK leaders including ‘Bussy’ Anand, K.A. Sengottaiyan, Aadhav Arjuna and Arun Raj for the crucial meeting.

During the interaction, Vijay submitted a formal letter to the Governor, officially staking claim to form the government. He also assured that the party would prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly within the stipulated time frame mandated by constitutional procedures.

The meeting is being seen as the first major constitutional step toward the formation of a TVK-led government in Tamil Nadu, marking a significant moment in the state’s post-election political transition.

TVK, contesting its maiden Assembly election, delivered a strong performance by winning 108 seats. However, it fell short of the 118-seat majority mark required to independently form the government in the 234-member House.

Following the declaration of results, Vijay held a series of consultations with newly elected MLAs and senior party functionaries. On Tuesday, TVK legislators unanimously elected him as the leader of the legislative party, formally authorising him to approach the Governor and stake claim to power.

Meanwhile, political activity across Chennai has intensified, with various parties reassessing their positions in the fractured mandate. The Indian National Congress has already extended conditional support to TVK, while Left parties and other smaller regional formations are expected to hold internal discussions before finalising their stance.

Sources indicate that several backchannel talks are also underway between TVK and select political groups in both major alliances, as numbers remain crucial for forming a stable government.

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which suffered a setback after losing power after a single term, has also begun internal consultations to assess its future strategy in the opposition.

Political observers say the coming days will be decisive, as coalition arithmetic and cross-party negotiations are likely to determine whether Vijay can successfully form and sustain the next government in Tamil Nadu.

With uncertainty persisting and alliances still fluid, the post-poll scenario in the state continues to evolve rapidly, keeping political circles on edge.