AMMK alleges horse-trading as MLA goes missing in Tamil Nadu govt deadlock
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu's post-poll deadlock took a dramatic turn as AMMK chief T.T.V. Dhinakaran alleged that his party MLA Kamaraj vanished under suspicious circumstances in Puducherry — pointing the finger at TVK, which holds 108 seats but still lacks the 118 needed for a majority. The Governor's repeated refusals to invite Vijay to form a government are now compounded by allegations of horse-trading on day one.
Key Takeaways
AMMK General Secretary T.T.V.
Dhinakaran alleged on 8 May that party MLA Kamaraj went missing under suspicious circumstances in Puducherry .
Joseph Vijay holds 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly , short of the 118 needed for a majority.
Vijay met Acting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for the third time on Friday but was not invited to take oath.
Dhinakaran accused TVK of engineering defections despite its stated commitment to clean politics.
AMMK leadership is consulting alliance partners on the next course of action; President's Rule remains a possibility if the deadlock persists.
Political uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu deepened on Friday, 8 May after Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) General Secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran met Acting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and alleged that one of his party MLAs had gone missing amid attempts to cobble together a majority in the fractured 234-member Assembly. The development marks a fresh flashpoint in an already volatile post-poll standoff.
The Numbers Game
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President C. Joseph Vijay, whose party emerged as the single largest formation with 108 seats, has been seeking support from other parties after falling short of the majority mark of 118. Vijay had secured letters of support from the Indian National Congress (INC), Communist Party of India (CPI), and CPI(M), with the two Left parties extending outside support. Armed with these letters, Vijay met Governor Arlekar for the third time on Friday and reiterated his claim to form the government. The Governor, however, once again refrained from inviting him to take oath, citing the lack of a clear majority.
The Missing MLA Allegation
Amid the continuing stalemate, Dhinakaran held a late-night meeting with the Governor and submitted a letter claiming that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) had the right to form the government. He alleged that his party MLA Kamaraj had gone missing under suspicious circumstances and hinted at possible horse-trading by rival political forces.
Point of View
A party that built its entire electoral brand on ethical politics and anti-corruption rhetoric, now faces its first credible allegation of defection-engineering before it has even taken office. The Governor's repeated deferrals, meanwhile, are constitutionally unusual — three meetings without an invitation stretches convention. If the stalemate continues, the Raj Bhavan's neutrality itself will come under scrutiny.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Tamil Nadu's government formation delayed?
TVK, the single largest party with 108 seats, has not yet crossed the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Assembly. Acting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has declined to invite TVK's C. Joseph Vijay to take oath on three occasions, citing the absence of a clear majority.
What is the horse-trading allegation in Tamil Nadu?
AMMK General Secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran alleged that his party MLA Kamaraj went missing after travelling to Puducherry to meet AIADMK legislators, and suspected that rival political forces were attempting to poach the MLA. He pointed to TVK as the likely party behind the alleged horse-trading.
Who is MLA Kamaraj and why does his disappearance matter?
Kamaraj is an AMMK legislator who, according to Dhinakaran, was last contactable on Thursday morning before going missing in Puducherry. In a hung Assembly where every vote counts, even one MLA switching sides could tip the balance toward a majority.
What support has TVK secured so far?
TVK has obtained letters of support from the Indian National Congress, CPI, and CPI(M), with the two Left parties offering outside support. Despite this, the combined tally reportedly still falls short of 118.
What happens if no party forms a government?
If the deadlock persists and no party can demonstrate a clear majority, the Governor may recommend President's Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution, placing Tamil Nadu under central administration until fresh elections or an alternative government can be formed.
