Despite emerging as the single largest party with 108 seats, TVK remains short of the majority mark and Governor RV Arlekar has refused to allow Vijay to stake claim without proof of support from 118 MLAs
Chennai: With Tamil Nadu heading towards an uncertain political situation after a fractured election verdict, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has warned that all 107 of his party’s MLAs would resign if either the DMK or the AIADMK is invited to form the government. The actor-turned-politician, whose party emerged as the largest in the Assembly without crossing the majority mark, is continuing efforts to gather support even as Governor RV Arlekar has refused to allow him to stake claim without proof of majority backing.
Tamil Nadu is currently witnessing a rare and unprecedented political situation. For decades, the state’s electoral politics has largely revolved around the two dominant Dravida parties, the DMK and the AIADMK. However, TVK’s dramatic rise has altered the political landscape significantly, pushing both traditional parties into unfamiliar territory.
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TVK secured 108 seats in the Assembly elections, falling 10 short of the majority mark required to form the government. However, since Vijay himself won from two constituencies, the effective strength of the Assembly currently stands at 197 MLAs.
Even with the support of the Congress, TVK’s tally reaches only 115 seats, leaving the party three short of the required majority.
TVK has maintained that, as the single largest party, it should be invited to form the government. Vijay reportedly approached the Governor twice with this demand.
Governor refuses claim to form government
Governor RV Arlekar has declined to permit Vijay to stake claim to power, stating that the party does not possess the required numbers to demonstrate majority support in the Assembly.
The Governor also rejected a proposal submitted by Vijay outlining how the party intended to reach the majority mark. According to reports, Arlekar asked Vijay to submit letters of support from at least 118 MLAs before any claim could be considered.
Following the setback, Vijay has once again reached out to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the CPI and the CPI(M), each of which has won two seats, seeking their support.
DMK holds key legislative meeting
Amid the uncertainty, the DMK convened a legislative party meeting on Friday during which four resolutions were adopted. Although the party lacks the numbers to form the government and has publicly stated that it intends to sit in the Opposition, the resolutions passed at the meeting have fuelled speculation over possible internal discussions regarding the evolving political scenario.
The party’s newly elected MLAs authorised DMK president MK Stalin to take what it described as “emergency decisions”.
In one of the resolutions, the DMK stated that its “primary aim is to avert another election, to have a stable government and not give room to communal forces”.
Stalin has also instructed all DMK MLAs to remain in Chennai until May 10 as the political developments continue to unfold.
With agency inputs
Published: 08 May 2026, 07:30 am IST
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