Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay met with Governor Rajendra Arlekar on May 9, 2026, to stake his claim as chief minister of Tamil Nadu [5].
The transition marks a significant political shift in the state, as a debut party moves to take control of the government through strategic coalition building.
Vijay visited Lok Bhavan, the Governor’s residence in Chennai, to prepare for the oath-taking ceremony [2]. The move follows the state assembly elections held on April 23, 2026 [4]. While the TVK emerged as a dominant force, the party did not secure an outright majority on its own.
TVK won 108 seats in the assembly [1], falling short of the 118-seat threshold required for a majority [2]. To bridge this gap, Vijay sought support from coalition partners, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), and other regional parties [1, 2].
Reports on the timing of the coalition's finalization vary. Some accounts said Vijay reached the Governor's office with the necessary numbers already secured [2], while other reports said the party was still racing to finalize the majority mark of 118 at the time of the meeting [2].
The TVK's entry into politics has seen rapid growth. In its debut election, the party garnered over five million votes [3]. This surge in public support provided the leverage needed to negotiate with smaller parties and the VCK, which held briefings at its office in Ashok Nagar, Chennai, regarding the new government formation [1, 2].
Governor Arlekar is expected to formalize the appointment following the verification of the coalition's support. The swearing-in ceremony will mark the official start of the TVK-led administration in the state [2].
“TVK won 108 seats in the assembly, falling short of the 118-seat threshold required for a majority.”
The rise of the TVK represents a disruption of the traditional two-party dominance in Tamil Nadu. By securing 108 seats in a debut run, Vijay has shifted the state's political gravity, forcing established regional players into a supporting role within a coalition. The success of this government will depend on the TVK's ability to maintain stability among its diverse partners, including the VCK and IUML, while managing the expectations of a massive new voter base.
