‘How are you so confident of reaching 118?’: TN Governor asks TVK’s Vijay

Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay faced tough questions from Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Thursday as the battle to form the next government intensified following the 2026 Assembly election results.

According to NDTV sources, Governor Arlekar asked Vijay how he was “so confident” of reaching the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Assembly when the TVK currently has only 108 seats on its own.

Sources said the Governor also questioned Vijay on how the party planned to run a stable government and which political parties were ready to formally back the TVK in its bid to form the government in Tamil Nadu.

The meeting assumes as TVK emerged as the single largest party in the state but remains short of the numbers required to independently form the government.

ANI sources added that the Governor stressed the need for a stable administration and indicated that the process of government formation could move forward only after majority support is clearly established.

Vijay is understood to have told the Governor that he was prepared to prove his majority through a floor test in the Assembly if given an opportunity to form the government.

TVK sources also indicated that the party has kept legal options open if it is denied a chance to stake claim despite emerging as the largest party in the election.

The latest round of talks came a day after Governor Arlekar reportedly turned down Vijay’s initial claim to form the government, with Raj Bhavan sources saying the support numbers presented at the time were not convincing enough.

Which parties could back TVK in Tamil Nadu?

The Congress has reportedly offered conditional support to the TVK. Sources said the party’s condition was that Vijay should not align with the Bharatiya Janata Party or “communal forces”.

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The TVK is also looking at support from Left parties and regional outfits. The Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) together hold four seats, while the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi has two MLAs and the Pattali Makkal Katchi has four.

If these parties extend support, the TVK-led alliance could cross the majority mark with around 123 seats. The tally may later reduce by one after Vijay vacates one of the two seats he won.

However, the alliance math remains politically sensitive. The VCK is currently aligned with the outgoing Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, while the PMK has been associated with the BJP.

Why is the CPI demanding a floor test for TVK?

Backing TVK’s claim, CPI Tamil Nadu State Secretary M. Veerapandian urged the Governor to allow the party to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly instead of insisting on numbers before government formation.

In a statement, the CPI said the election did not produce a clear mandate for any single party but pointed out that TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats. The party argued that constitutional convention requires the Governor to first invite the largest party to demonstrate majority support through a floor test.