TVK party chief Vijay met with the governor to stake a claim to form the Tamil Nadu state government this week [1, 2].
The move comes as the party seeks to establish a secular administration and prevent the influence of the BJP in the region [1, 2].
According to election results, TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly [2]. This total leaves the party 10 seats short of the 118-seat majority required to govern without a coalition [2].
While TVK initially said it would form the government on its own during the vote-counting period, the final numbers necessitated a search for allies [1, 2]. The Indian National Congress has extended conditional support to the party to help bridge the gap [1].
The political landscape remains fluid as other parties react to the results. The AIADMK said the ball is now in Vijay's court regarding the backing of the TVK [1].
Vijay's meeting with the governor is the formal step required to transition from a candidate to a potential chief minister. The outcome depends on whether the conditional support from Congress translates into a stable legislative majority [1, 2].
“TVK secured 108 seats, which is 10 seats short of the 118-seat majority needed.”
The 2026 election results create a hung assembly where TVK holds the plurality but lacks a mandate for unilateral rule. By courting the Congress party, Vijay is attempting to build a secular front to keep the BJP out of power, signaling a shift toward coalition politics in Tamil Nadu.
