TVK Nears Majority in Tamil Nadu as CPI and CPI-M Extend Unconditional Support

Chennai, May 2026 : The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), founded by actor-politician Vijay, moved significantly closer to forming the next government in Tamil Nadu on Friday after the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) announced unconditional support to the party following the fractured verdict in the recently concluded Assembly elections.

The backing from the two Left parties has strengthened TVK’s position in the 234-member Assembly, where the party emerged as the single largest formation after winning 108 seats, including the constituency secured by Vijay himself. With earlier support from the Congress party’s five MLAs and two MLAs each from CPI and CPI-M, TVK now has the support of nine additional legislators.

This takes the effective support base of the Vijay-led party close to the crucial majority mark of 118 seats required to form the government. TVK is now just two MLAs short of crossing the halfway mark and staking claim before the Governor.

The announcement of support was made during a joint press conference in Chennai addressed by CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian and CPI-M state secretary P. Shanmugam.

Both leaders clarified that although their parties had extended support to TVK, they would not participate in a future cabinet headed by Vijay. They stated that the support would remain external and was aimed at ensuring the formation of a democratic government in the state.

The Left leaders also emphasised that despite extending support to TVK, they would continue to stand with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on issues related to secularism, opposition to communal politics, and the protection of Tamil Nadu’s rights.

The political developments came amid rising tensions over the formation of the next government. Earlier in the day, Congress workers staged protests across the state against Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar after he reportedly declined Vijay’s request to form the government and asked him to return only after demonstrating support from at least 118 MLAs.

Soon after the CPI and CPI-M announced their support, outgoing Chief Minister and DMK president M. K. Stalin urged the Governor to act in accordance with constitutional norms and facilitate the formation of a stable government without unnecessary delay.

Meanwhile, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), another constituent of the Secular Progressive Alliance, is also expected to back TVK. Party leaders have repeatedly indicated that their decision would align with the stand taken by the Left parties.

If VCK formally extends support, Vijay’s TVK is expected to comfortably cross the majority mark, paving the way for the actor-turned-politician to head the next government in Tamil Nadu and marking a major transformation in the state’s political landscape.