The Communist Party of India (CPI) is expected to support the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in its bid to form the Tamil Nadu government.
This alignment is critical because TVK lacks a clear majority to govern alone, making the support of left-wing parties essential for political stability in the state.
TVK chief C. Vijay met with Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Thursday to stake a claim to form the government [1]. The move follows the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election results, where TVK emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 seats [2]. Despite this lead, the party fell short of a majority by approximately 10 seats [3].
To bridge this gap, TVK is seeking alliances with other political entities. The CPI, along with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), are likely to back the TVK-led government [4].
A spokesperson for the CPI said, "The Governor must act in line with the Constitution. The people of Tamil Nadu have not delivered a clear mandate. Still, TVK has emerged with 108 seats. On this basis, TVK chief Vijay met the Governor and staked claim to form the government" [2].
The meeting at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai marks a pivotal step in the government formation process. The left parties believe that supporting the TVK will enable the creation of a stable administration. The CPI officially extended its support for the government formation on Thursday [5].
The Governor's decision on whether to invite C. Vijay to form the government will depend on the verified number of supporting legislators the TVK can present.
“TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats but fell short of a majority.”
The support from the CPI and other left-wing parties transforms C. Vijay from a party leader with a plurality into a viable candidate for Chief Minister. By securing these alliances, TVK can overcome its 10-seat deficit, potentially preventing a constitutional deadlock or the need for a fresh election in Tamil Nadu.
