A Viduthalai Chalaigal Katchi (VCK) lawmaker said the party will support Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay to form the state government.
This alliance is critical because TVK is currently one seat short of the majority required to govern Tamil Nadu without the risk of federal intervention. The support from VCK ensures a stable coalition and prevents the imposition of Governor's rule.
An unnamed VCK MLA said, "We will not allow Governor's rule. We stand with TVK's Vijay to form the government" [1]. The lawmaker said that TVK secured 117 seats [2], while the majority threshold in the 234-member Assembly is 118 MLAs [2]. By providing this backing, the coalition expects to cross that mark [2].
TVK entered the assembly elections as a new political force, securing 50 lakh votes in its debut performance [3]. The push for power has led to a tense period of negotiations in Chennai. TVK chief Vijay met with the Governor on May 9, 2026, to stake his claim to the chief minister's office [4].
Despite the coalition's efforts, the transition of power has faced hurdles. While some reports indicated a swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for May 10, 2026 [4], other reports said the oath-taking ceremony was cancelled due to legal battles [1].
Other political players remain distanced from the arrangement. A BJP spokesperson said, "The BJP will not support any party to form the government" [1]. This leaves the TVK-VCK partnership as the primary vehicle for establishing a new administration in the state.
“"We will not allow Governor's rule. We stand with TVK's Vijay to form the government,"”
The alliance between TVK and VCK represents a strategic move to consolidate power in the wake of a fragmented election result. By securing the 118th seat, Vijay avoids a constitutional vacuum that would allow the central government to impose President's rule. However, the reported cancellation of the oath ceremony suggests that while the numbers may be present, legal or administrative challenges continue to obstruct the formal handover of power.
