Tamil Nadu Congress Calls Statewide Protests Over Delay in Inviting Vijay to Form Government

Chennai, May 2026 : The political tension over government formation in Tamil Nadu intensified on Thursday as the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) announced statewide protests on May 8 against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, accusing them of blocking Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay from forming the next government despite his party emerging as the single-largest force in the Assembly elections.

In a strongly worded statement, TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai alleged that the Governor, acting under the influence of the BJP-led Union government, was deliberately delaying the invitation to Vijay to form the government. He termed the move as “undemocratic interference” and “backroom political manoeuvring” aimed at denying TVK its rightful mandate.

Selvaperunthagai said the people of Tamil Nadu had clearly expressed their verdict in favour of a new political alternative, but that verdict was now being undermined through constitutional institutions being misused for political ends.

He further alleged that the Governor’s conduct was not in line with constitutional morality or established democratic conventions, and accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise the electoral mandate delivered by voters in the recently concluded Assembly elections.

“The BJP and its puppet Governor are trying to prevent Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government despite a clear mandate from the people rejecting the traditional political order,” he said.

As part of the protest plan, the TNCC announced statewide demonstrations to be held at all district headquarters across Tamil Nadu on Friday morning. The party has instructed its senior leaders, district presidents, office-bearers, legislators, and cadres to participate in large numbers.

The announcement comes amid continued political uncertainty in the state following a fractured electoral verdict. TVK, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, falling short of the 118-seat majority mark required to form the government.

Congress, which has extended its support to TVK, has demanded that Governor Arlekar invite Vijay to form the government and allow him to prove his majority on the floor of the House, in line with parliamentary traditions and constitutional practice.

However, sources from Raj Bhavan indicated that the Governor is awaiting formal confirmation of adequate numerical support before making any decision on government formation, including proof that the claimant commands a stable majority in the Assembly.

Meanwhile, political activity in Chennai has intensified, with multiple parties engaged in discussions and back-channel negotiations to explore possible alliances. The uncertainty has created a fluid situation, with all major political formations closely watching developments as the race to form the next government continues in Tamil Nadu.