TVK Intensifies Push for Power in Tamil Nadu as Vijay Seeks Support to Cross Majority Mark

Chennai, May 2026 : C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has intensified efforts to form the next government in Tamil Nadu after emerging as the single largest party in the recently concluded Assembly elections. However, with no party securing a clear majority in the 234-member Assembly, political uncertainty continues to dominate the state.

The TVK won 108 seats in the Assembly elections, positioning itself ahead of all rival parties. With the support of the Congress, which later extended backing to the Vijay-led formation, the alliance’s strength rose to 112 MLAs. Despite this development, the alliance still remains short of the majority mark of 118 seats required to form the government.

Amid the uncertain political scenario, Vijay met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Tuesday and formally staked a claim to form the government. Sources indicated that the Governor informed the TVK chief that the party would need to demonstrate adequate numerical strength in the Assembly before it could be invited to form the government.

Following the initial meeting, Vijay again met the Governor on Wednesday in a discussion that reportedly lasted for more than 40 minutes. Soon after the interaction, the Raj Bhavan issued an official statement confirming that Vijay had explained the current political situation and acknowledged that TVK did not yet have the required legislative strength to independently form the government.

As political negotiations intensified, senior leaders of the TVK stepped up efforts to secure support from smaller parties and allies. The party leadership held a series of meetings on Wednesday aimed at bringing additional MLAs into its fold and strengthening its claim to power.

TVK General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar reportedly met leaders of the Left parties, including the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), seeking their support for the proposed government. The two Left parties currently hold a combined six seats in the Assembly and are considered crucial to the government formation process.

At the same time, TVK representatives Arunraj and Mustafa met Kader Mohideen and formally sought the support of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). The IUML leadership confirmed the meeting and acknowledged that discussions had taken place regarding possible support for the Vijay-led formation.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kader Mohideen said Vijay, as the leader of the single largest party in the Assembly, had every democratic right to stake a claim to form the government. However, he clarified that the IUML would not take any immediate decision without consulting its long-time ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

Mohideen noted that the IUML has remained aligned with the DMK alliance for nearly three decades and any political move would be made only after discussions with M.K. Stalin and the DMK leadership.

At present, TVK requires the support of at least six more MLAs to comfortably cross the majority threshold. The support of the Left parties and the IUML has therefore become politically significant in the ongoing negotiations.

Meanwhile, CTR Nirmal Kumar clarified that the TVK would not seek support from the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He ruled out any possibility of aligning with the BJP and asserted that the party remained committed to its independent political path.

With intense negotiations underway and no final decision yet on government formation, Tamil Nadu continues to witness rapid political developments as parties work to secure the numbers required to form the next government.