Actor-politician Thalapathy Vijay is meeting Governor Rajendra Arlekar to discuss forming the Tamil Nadu government after his party secured additional legislative support.
The move marks a potential shift in the state's political landscape, as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) attempts to transition from a new political entity to the ruling power in the region.
TVK workers celebrated Friday after the party gained the necessary backing to pursue government formation. The party had originally won more than 100 seats in the 2026 Assembly election [2], [5], but fell short of the majority mark by around 10 seats [3].
To bridge this gap, TVK secured the support of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). The IUML won two seats in the 2026 election [4]. With this additional support, TVK's total tally has risen to approximately 120 seats [1].
This legislative boost enables Vijay to formally approach Governor Arlekar to discuss the process of taking office. The development comes amid a volatile political atmosphere where various alliances are still shifting.
While TVK celebrates, other political factions remain divided. Reports have surfaced regarding a possible post-poll alliance between the long-term rivals DMK and AIADMK. However, the AIADMK said that it would not enter a post-poll alliance with TVK under any circumstances.
The governor's meeting with Vijay is the critical next step in determining whether the TVK-led coalition can maintain stability, and successfully navigate the oath-taking process to lead the state.
“TVK's total tally has risen to approximately 120 seats.”
The ability of Thalapathy Vijay to leverage a small but strategic partnership with the IUML demonstrates the fragmented nature of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly results. By reaching a tally of 120 seats, TVK has moved from a position of electoral strength to a viable candidate for governance, though the firm rejection of a partnership by the AIADMK suggests that any resulting government may face a stiff and united opposition from established Dravidian parties.
