Rahul Gandhi, a senior Congress leader, will attend the oath-taking ceremony of TVK chief C Joseph Vijay on Sunday, May 7, 2026 [1].
The attendance of the Congress leader signals a strategic alliance to help TVK form a state government in Tamil Nadu. This support arrives as the state's political landscape shifts due to internal fractures within the AIADMK.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. [2] at the Governor’s Raj Bhavan in Chennai [1]. The move comes after the TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly [3]. Because the majority threshold in the Assembly is 118 seats [3], Vijay requires additional support to secure a stable government.
Congress, which won five seats in the election [4], is backing TVK to lead the state. The political calculations are further complicated by a split in the AIADMK, where a splinter faction of more than 30 MLAs is preparing to break away [5].
This realignment is critical for the upcoming floor test, also known as a vote of confidence, which is scheduled for May 13, 2026 [3]. The ability of the TVK to maintain the support of both the Congress and the AIADMK defectors will determine if the new administration can survive the legislative challenge.
While most reports confirm the swearing-in, some outlets have expressed doubt regarding whether Vijay will ultimately take the oath. However, the scheduled presence of Gandhi at the Raj Bhavan suggests a coordinated effort to establish the new government.
“Rahul Gandhi, a senior Congress leader, will attend the oath-taking ceremony of TVK chief C Joseph Vijay”
The alliance between TVK and Congress, coupled with the fragmentation of the AIADMK, represents a significant shift in Tamil Nadu's power dynamics. By supporting a party that fell short of a majority, Congress is positioning itself as a kingmaker in the state, while TVK is attempting to consolidate power through a coalition of diverse political interests before the May 13 floor test.
