Actor-turned-politician Vijay, head of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), met with Governor R.V. Arlekar on Friday to stake a claim to form the government.
The meeting marks a critical attempt to resolve a political deadlock in Tamil Nadu following the assembly election. If the governor accepts the claim, Vijay could transition from a cinematic icon to the chief minister of one of India's most influential states.
Vijay visited Lok Bhavan to present evidence of his support among members of the assembly [1]. The governor's role is pivotal in determining which party or coalition can command a majority in the house to ensure legislative stability.
Reports on the exact number of legislators supporting Vijay vary. Some sources indicate he has the backing of 120 MLAs [1], while other reports from the same publisher suggest the number is 118 [1].
This support is significant because the majority mark required to form a government in the Tamil Nadu assembly is 118 seats [1]. By meeting the threshold, the TVK chief aims to demonstrate that he has the necessary mandate to lead the state.
Other political entities, including the DMK and AIADMK, remain central to the government formation process as the state navigates the post-election landscape [2]. The governor said he will now evaluate the claims based on the numbers presented during the meeting at Lok Bhavan [1].
“Vijay met the governor and staked a claim to form the Tamil Nadu government.”
The entry of a cinema-backed political force like the TVK into the executive branch would signal a shift in Tamil Nadu's traditional bipolar political landscape. By claiming a majority of 118 to 120 seats, Vijay is attempting to bypass the need for a fragmented coalition, potentially consolidating power in a way that challenges the established dominance of the DMK and AIADMK.
