Actor-politician Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is staking a claim to form the Tamil Nadu government and become chief minister.
The move marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape, as a cinematic icon attempts to transition from the screen to the highest executive office in the region.
Vijay met with Governor Rajendra Arlekar at Lok Bhavan to discuss the government formation process. He has also been conducting operations from the TVK headquarters in Chennai. Despite these steps, the official oath-taking ceremony has been delayed while the party finalizes coalition agreements.
In the recent elections, the TVK won 108 seats [1] in the 234-seat Legislative Assembly. This total falls short of the 118 seats required for an absolute majority. To bridge this gap, Vijay is seeking support from other parties, including the Viduthalai Chiravai Katchi (VCK), and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
The Congress party, which won five seats [2], has extended its support to the TVK leader. Current reports indicate that Vijay has the support of 120 MLAs [3] to form the government, which would place him above the majority threshold.
There is conflicting information regarding the timing of the swearing-in ceremony. Some reports said the oath is likely to be administered on May 10, 2026 [3]. Other sources said the ceremony may be delayed further or that Vijay is unlikely to take the oath as the new chief minister at this time [3].
The political tension remains high as the TVK attempts to solidify its alliance. The transition from a plurality of seats to a stable governing majority depends on the final agreements reached with these smaller coalition partners.
“TVK won 108 seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly”
The situation in Tamil Nadu highlights the precarious nature of hung assemblies where the largest single party cannot govern alone. By securing the support of the Congress party and other smaller allies, Vijay is attempting to create a stable coalition. However, the conflicting reports regarding his swearing-in suggest that the final terms of these alliances may still be under negotiation, leaving the state in a period of political uncertainty.
