TVK chief Vijay met Governor Rajendra Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai to stake his claim to form the Tamil Nadu government.

The move follows a fragmented election result where no single party secured an outright majority. This development could shift the political landscape of the state if TVK successfully secures the necessary legislative support to govern.

TVK emerged as the single largest party, winning 108 seats [1] in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. However, the party remains short of the 118 seats [3] required for a majority. To bridge this gap, the Indian National Congress announced it would support TVK to ensure a stable government in the state.

Congress won five seats [2] in the elections. A spokesperson for the party said, "Congress will support TVK to ensure a stable government in Tamil Nadu."

Vijay visited the governor's office for a second time to formalize his claim. "I have met Governor Rajendra Arlekar to stake my claim for forming the government," Vijay said after the meeting.

Despite the support from Congress, the governor has not yet extended an invitation for government formation. A reporter for The Indian Express said that the governor has made it clear that a chief minister must first demonstrate majority support before any invitation is extended.

There are conflicting views on where the final decision regarding the government's formation will take place. While Vijay met the governor at Lok Bhavan, Congress said that the government will be decided on the House floor rather than at the governor's residence.

Other political entities are also reacting to the stalemate. Reports indicate that the DMK and AIADMK are exploring a contingency alliance in the event that TVK fails to secure a working majority.

“"I have met Governor Rajendra Arlekar to stake my claim for forming the government,"”

The alliance between TVK and Congress represents a strategic attempt to prevent a hung assembly and block a potential contingency coalition between the DMK and AIADMK. While TVK holds the plurality of seats, the Governor's insistence on a proven majority means the party must formalize its coalition agreements on the assembly floor to avoid a constitutional deadlock.