Vijay, chief of the Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), met with Governor Rajendra Arlekar on May 9, 2026, to stake a claim to form the state government [1].
The meeting marks a critical step in the transition of power following the assembly elections. Because no single party secured an outright majority, the ability to demonstrate a coalition of support is the only path to securing the chief minister's office.
Vijay visited Lok Bhavan, the official residence of the governor in Chennai, where he submitted letters of support signed by 120 MLAs [1]. This number exceeds the majority threshold of 118 seats required in the 234-member assembly [3].
While the TVK emerged as the single-largest party by winning 108 seats [2], it fell short of the majority mark on its own [3]. The additional support letters from allied party members are intended to prove that the TVK-led coalition has the necessary numbers to govern.
Reports on the governor's reaction remain mixed. Some sources suggest an oath-taking ceremony is likely to occur tomorrow [1]. However, Governor Arlekar said no final decision has been taken and said he is not fully convinced about the numbers presented [4].
The process of government formation in Tamil Nadu often involves intense negotiations between the largest party and smaller regional allies. By presenting a concrete list of 120 supporters, Vijay is attempting to preempt challenges from opposing blocs and accelerate the appointment process.
“Vijay submitted letters of support signed by 120 MLAs”
The situation creates a tense standoff between the TVK's claim of a majority and the governor's discretion. While 120 signatures technically surpass the 118-seat requirement, the governor's expressed doubt suggests a rigorous verification process of those letters. If the governor rejects the claim or finds the alliance unstable, it could lead to a period of political instability or a call for a different coalition to attempt government formation.
