Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay moved 108 party MLAs to a resort in Mamallapuram following the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly election [1], [2].

The move signals a high-stakes effort to secure the party's legislative strength during the critical window of government formation. By isolating lawmakers, TVK aims to neutralize attempts by rival parties to peel away members and destabilize the party's negotiating position.

TVK won 108 seats in the assembly election [1]. Following the declaration of results, the party shifted all 108 MLAs to the Mamallapuram resort on May 4, 2026 [2], [3]. This tactic, often described as "resort politics," is a known strategy in Indian politics used to prevent the poaching of elected officials by opposing factions [2], [4].

The relocation comes as TVK navigates complex coalition talks. While the party has received backing from Congress, the decision to camp the MLAs suggests a lack of total certainty regarding the stability of current alliances [2].

Discussions regarding the formation of the new government have continued through May 8 and 10, 2026 [5]. The strategy allows Vijay to maintain a consolidated bloc of supporters as he negotiates the terms of power, and the potential appointment of a new chief minister [1], [5].

Observers said that the move to Mamallapuram is specifically designed to stop poaching before the official government is sworn in [4]. This ensures that no individual MLA can be lured away by offers from other parties during the sensitive transition period [2].

“TVK won 108 seats in the Tamil Nadu 2026 assembly election”

The use of 'resort politics' by TVK underscores the volatility of coalition building in Tamil Nadu. By physically sequestering 108 MLAs, Vijay is prioritizing numerical security over political optics, suggesting that the threat of defection is high despite external support from parties like Congress. This move ensures that TVK enters government formation talks from a position of maximum leverage, preventing rivals from undermining their mandate through clandestine poaching.