Actor-turned-politician Vijay is struggling to secure a clear majority to become chief minister of Tamil Nadu following the 2026 assembly election.
The instability threatens the formation of a new state government, as the inability to finalize a coalition could lead to a prolonged political vacuum in the region.
Vijay's party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), won 108 seats [1]. The party also crossed the 50 lakh vote threshold required to be recognized as an official party [2]. Despite these gains, the TVK lacks an outright majority, making Vijay dependent on coalition partners including the IUML, AMMK, and VCK [3].
Negotiations have become volatile as several members of the legislative assembly have gone missing. This disappearance of MLAs has created a gap in the support needed for a stable government. The situation is a political power struggle occurring at the governor's office, where the official invitation to form a government is issued [3].
Adding to the uncertainty is a potential shift from the AIADMK. While Vijay appeared set for a smooth swearing-in, last-minute gaps in support and signals from the AIADMK have pulled the brakes on the process [4]. This shift leaves the status of the incoming chief minister uncertain, as the TVK must now scramble to maintain its alliance or find new supporters to reach the required threshold [4].
Observers said the transition from cinema to politics has reached a critical juncture. While the seat count positions Vijay as a strong contender, the internal dynamics of Tamil Nadu's coalition politics are preventing an immediate appointment [5].
“Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won 108 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly election”
The current deadlock illustrates the fragility of 'star-power' politics when faced with established party machinery. Even with a significant seat count, Vijay's inability to control his coalition partners or prevent the defection of MLAs suggests that the TVK has not yet consolidated the discipline required to govern. The AIADMK's hesitation indicates that traditional power brokers still hold the balance of power in the state.
