TVK chief Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on May 9, 2026, to form a government.
The meeting represents a critical shift in the state's political landscape as Vijay seeks to transition from a party leader to the chief minister. His ability to secure a majority in the assembly is the final hurdle before an official oath ceremony.
Vijay entered the meeting with the support of a coalition of lawmakers. While reports on the exact number vary, some sources said he has the support of 121 MLAs [1], while others cited 120 [2]. Earlier reports had suggested a lower figure of 117 MLAs [3], which would have left the party short of the required threshold.
The majority mark for the 234-member assembly is 118 MLAs [4]. By crossing this number, Vijay has positioned himself to lead the state government. This support comes after the TVK won 108 seats in the assembly [5] and subsequently secured additional backing from other parties, including the VCK and IUML.
This visit to Lok Bhavan marks the fourth time Vijay has met with the governor to discuss the formation of the new administration. The process involves verifying the support of the MLAs to ensure a stable government can be established.
The political maneuvering follows a period of intense negotiation after the election results. With the support of 121 MLAs [1], Vijay now holds a clear mandate to lead the state, provided the governor accepts the claim to power.
“TVK chief Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai”
The formation of a government by the TVK signifies a major realignment in Tamil Nadu politics. By securing support beyond its 108 won seats to reach a reported 121 MLAs, Vijay has successfully navigated the post-election coalition phase. This move effectively ends the period of political uncertainty following the assembly elections and establishes a new power center in Chennai.
