Vijay, the chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), met with Tamil Nadu Governor Arlekar on Wednesday to stake a claim to form the state government.
The move signals a potential shift in power in Tamil Nadu, as the actor-turned-politician seeks to transition from a cinematic icon to the state's chief minister.
During the meeting at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai, Vijay submitted a formal letter to the governor. The TVK said it has the requisite numbers to form a government with a full majority [1]. This claim follows the 2026 assembly elections, where TVK won 108 seats [3].
To secure a majority in the Tamil Nadu assembly, a party or coalition must hold 118 seats [4]. Vijay is seeking to bridge this gap through a partnership with the Congress party, which holds five seats [2]. Combined, the TVK-Congress alliance reaches 113 legislators [4].
Despite the shortfall from the 118-seat requirement, the TVK continues to push for the right to govern. The party's strategy relies on its strong individual performance and the support of its allies to convince the governor of its stability, a critical step in the appointment process.
Governor Arlekar has not yet announced a decision on whether to invite Vijay to form the government. The process typically involves the governor evaluating the stability of proposed coalitions before appointing a chief minister.
“Vijay submitted a formal letter to the governor”
The situation creates a legislative deadlock where the TVK is the largest single party but lacks an absolute majority. Because the combined strength of the TVK and Congress (113 seats) remains below the 118-seat threshold, the Governor's decision will likely depend on whether Vijay can secure additional support from other smaller parties or independent legislators to ensure a stable administration.
