Governor Rajendra Arlekar postponed the swearing-in ceremony for Vijay, chief of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, after he failed to secure sufficient legislative support.
The delay leaves the Tamil Nadu government in limbo as the TVK struggles to bridge the gap between its current seat count and the majority mark. This instability threatens to prolong the political vacuum following the recent elections.
To form a government in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, a party or coalition must command a majority of 118 MLAs [1]. While Vijay sought to consolidate power, he fell short of the required number of MLAs and formal support letters. Governor Arlekar said no final decision had been taken on inviting Vijay to form the government or the timing of the ceremony [2].
Negotiations with potential allies have yielded mixed results. K. Selvaperunthagai, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President, said Congress would likely be part of a Vijay-led government and noted the party had been offered two ministerial berths and one Rajya Sabha seat [3].
However, other key players remain resistant. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has not yet provided a formal support letter. Meanwhile, the AIADMK has explicitly distanced itself from the TVK. K.P. Munusamy, AIADMK Deputy Coordinator, said that regardless of the situation, AIADMK will not support TVK [4].
The oath-taking ceremony was originally slated for May 7, 2026 [5]. The late-night developments on Friday indicated that the Governor remained unconvinced of the TVK's ability to maintain a stable majority, a prerequisite for the appointment of a chief minister.
As of Saturday, the political landscape remains fragmented. The TVK must now either secure the VCK's formal backing or find another legislative path to reach the 118-seat threshold [1].
“"Whatever the situation is, AIADMK will not support TVK."”
The postponement signals a precarious start for Vijay's transition from cinema to governance. By refusing to swear in a leader who lacks a documented majority, Governor Arlekar is adhering to a strict interpretation of constitutional requirements to avoid a fragile government that could collapse immediately. The TVK's inability to secure the VCK and the firm rejection by the AIADMK suggest that while Vijay may have significant public appeal, he lacks the strategic legislative alliances necessary to exercise power in the Assembly.
