The swearing-in of Joseph Vijay as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has been delayed because the Governor is not convinced he has a legislative majority [1, 2].
This deadlock leaves the state in a period of political uncertainty following the 2026 assembly elections. The delay signals a potential struggle for power if the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) cannot quickly secure the necessary alliances to govern.
Governor R.N. Ravi Arlekar said that no final decision has yet been taken on inviting Vijay to form the government or on the swearing-in ceremony [1]. The delay was noted for Thursday, May 7, 2026 [2, 3].
To assume office, the Governor requires proof that the TVK can command at least 118 seats in the 234-member Assembly [4, 5]. Vijay has not yet demonstrated that he meets this majority threshold [4, 5].
The situation has sparked criticism from other political figures. Kamal Haasan said that not inviting Vijay to form the government amounts to disrespecting the mandate [2].
While the TVK seeks to finalize its numbers, other political entities, including the DMK, AIADMK, and Congress, remain central to the alliance suspense [1, 3]. The Governor's office in Chennai remains the focal point as the TVK chief attempts to resolve the roadblock to his appointment [1, 5].
“No final decision has yet been taken on inviting Vijay to form the government.”
The delay indicates a hung parliament scenario where the single largest party lacks an absolute majority. By adhering strictly to the 118-seat threshold, the Governor is forcing the TVK to formalize a coalition, which may shift the balance of power and determine which smaller parties hold leverage in the new administration.
