Vijay, leader of the TVK party, is attempting to secure enough legislative support to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

The outcome of this power bid determines whether a new political force can successfully dismantle the traditional dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in the state. If Vijay fails to reach the majority mark, the state could face a prolonged period of political instability or the need for a broader coalition.

To govern the 234-member Assembly, a leader must secure at least 118 MLAs [1]. Current reports on the TVK tally vary between 116 [2] and 117 MLAs [1]. This narrow gap has left the exact timing of the swearing-in ceremony in doubt.

Some reports indicated that Vijay would take the oath on May 9 at 11 a.m. after presenting a support letter to the Governor [2]. However, other reports on May 8 stated there would be no oath-taking that day as the party continued to scramble for the required numbers [3].

To bridge the gap, Vijay has sought alliances with smaller parties. The CPI and CPI(M) have each provided support with two seats [3], while Congress has provided five seats [3].

Activity has centered around the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in Chennai and the VCK office in Ashok Nagar [4]. Security was increased at the VCK office on May 8 ahead of an expected visit from Vijay [5].

"No oath-taking for Vijay today as TVK scrambles for magic number," Livemint said [3].

Despite the confusion over the date, the TVK leader continues to negotiate with potential partners to ensure a stable government formation. The suspense over the power bid has entered its fourth day [1].

“TVK leader Vijay faces uncertainty over oath-taking date as he scrambles to reach the 118-seat majority mark.”

The uncertainty surrounding Vijay's swearing-in ceremony highlights the precarious nature of a near-majority government. Because the TVK is just one or two seats short of the 118-seat threshold, the party is forced into a position of dependency on smaller allies like the CPI and Congress. This dynamic may grant these smaller parties significant leverage over policy and cabinet appointments in the new administration.