TVK inches closer to power as CPI, CPI-M back Vijay in Tamil Nadu
Synopsis
C. Joseph Vijay's TVK is now just two MLAs short of a majority in Tamil Nadu after CPI and CPI-M pledged outside support — a dramatic post-poll realignment that could see a first-time actor-turned-politician lead one of India's most politically significant states.
Key Takeaways
CPI and CPI-M extended unconditional outside support to TVK on 8 May , adding 4 MLAs to Vijay's tally.
TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly ; it now has backing of 9 additional MLAs including 5 from Congress .
The party needs just 2 more MLAs to cross the majority mark of 118 .
VCK , also part of the SPA, is expected to announce support in line with the Left parties' stance.
Outgoing CM and DMK President M.K.
Stalin urged Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to facilitate government formation without delay.
Congress cadres staged statewide protests after the Governor declined Vijay's initial request to form the government.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), founded by actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay, moved a significant step closer to forming the next government in Tamil Nadu on Friday, 8 May, after the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) extended unconditional outside support to the party in the wake of a fractured Assembly election verdict. The development brings Vijay's party within striking distance of the 118-seat majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Where the Numbers Stand
TVK had emerged as the single largest party in the election, winning 108 seats — including the constituency won by Vijay himself — after contesting independently. With the fresh backing of the two Left parties, the party has now secured the support of nine additional MLAs: five from the Congress and two each from the CPI and CPI-M. This leaves TVK just two MLAs short of the majority threshold required to stake a formal claim to government formation.
What the Left Parties Said
The announcement was made at a joint press conference in Chennai by CPI state Secretary M. Veerapandian and CPI-M state Secretary P. Shanmugam. Both leaders made clear that their parties — which were part of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) alongside the Congress — would not join a potential TVK-led Cabinet. They stated they
Point of View
Vijay could be sworn in with a wafer-thin majority — making his government immediately vulnerable to floor management pressures that his party, with no prior governance experience, is untested to handle.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many seats does TVK need to form the government in Tamil Nadu?
TVK needs 118 seats to command a majority in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. Having won 108 seats and secured outside support from Congress, CPI, and CPI-M — totalling 9 additional MLAs — the party is currently 2 MLAs short of that threshold.
Why did the CPI and CPI-M support TVK despite being part of the DMK-led alliance?
The CPI and CPI-M clarified that their support to TVK is unconditional and from outside the Cabinet, aimed solely at ensuring a democratic government is formed. They stated they would continue to stand with the DMK in opposing communal forces and protecting Tamil Nadu's rights.
What is the role of the VCK in Tamil Nadu's government formation?
The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), also a member of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, has repeatedly indicated it will align its decision with the stance taken by the Left parties. Its support could provide the final numbers TVK needs to reach a majority.
Why did Congress cadres protest against Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar?
Congress cadres staged statewide protests after Governor Arlekar reportedly declined C. Joseph Vijay's request to form the government, asking him to return only after demonstrating the support of 118 MLAs. Critics have argued this amounts to an unconstitutional delay in government formation.
What did outgoing CM M.K. Stalin say about the situation?
DMK President and outgoing Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urged Governor Arlekar to act in accordance with constitutional norms and facilitate the formation of a new government without delay, following the Left parties' declaration of support for TVK.
