TVK's Vijay races to prove majority in Tamil Nadu, needs 6 more MLAs
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu is on the edge of a political cliffhanger — TVK's Vijay won the most seats but not enough to govern alone. With the IUML consulting DMK's Stalin before deciding, the fate of Tamil Nadu's next government could hinge on a 30-year-old alliance and six crucial MLAs.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Vijay won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly , emerging as the single largest party.
Alliance strength with Congress stands at 112 MLAs , still six short of the 118-seat majority mark .
Vijay met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar twice — on Tuesday and Wednesday — with the Governor's office confirming TVK lacks the required numbers independently.
IUML national president Kader Mohideen said a final decision will come only after consulting DMK president M.
Stalin , citing a 30-year alliance .
The Left parties and IUML together hold 6 seats — exactly the number TVK needs to cross the majority threshold.
TVK General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar ruled out any alliance with the BJP -led NDA .
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, has emerged as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, winning 108 seats in the 234-member House. With no party securing an outright majority, Vijay has staked a claim to form the government — but his alliance remains six seats short of the 118-seat majority mark as of Wednesday, 7 May.
Where TVK Stands
With the support of the Indian National Congress (Congress), TVK's alliance strength has risen to 112 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), excluding Vijay's own constituency result. The combined tally still falls short of the majority threshold, making the next few days of coalition negotiations critical to whether Vijay can form a stable government.
Vijay's Back-to-Back Meetings with the Governor
On Tuesday, Vijay met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and formally staked a claim to form the government. According to reports, the Governor indicated that TVK could only be invited to form the government after demonstrating adequate numerical support in the Assembly.
Vijay returned on Wednesday for a second meeting with the Governor, which lasted more than 40 minutes. The Governor's office subsequently issued an official statement confirming that Vijay had acknowledged TVK did not yet possess the required number of MLAs to independently form the government.
Coalition Negotiations Intensify
TVK General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar reportedly met the state secretaries of the Left parties on Wednesday, seeking their backing for the proposed government. Simultaneously, TVK representatives Arunraj and Mustafa met Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) national president Kader Mohideen to formally seek the party's support.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mohideen confirmed that TVK had approached the IUML formally. He said Vijay, as the leader of the single largest party, had every democratic right to stake a claim to form the government. However, Mohideen was candid about the IUML's longstanding ties:
Point of View
Ruling out the BJP-NDA is politically necessary but arithmetically costly — it narrows the path to power considerably. If the Left parties and IUML decline, Vijay faces the prospect of being the largest party that could not form a government, a damaging outcome for a movement built on momentum.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many seats did TVK win in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections?
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, making it the single largest party. With Congress support, the alliance's combined strength stands at 112 MLAs, still six short of the 118-seat majority mark.
Why has the Governor not yet invited Vijay to form the government?
According to reports, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar indicated that TVK could only be invited to form the government after demonstrating adequate numerical support in the Assembly. The Governor's office confirmed after Vijay's Wednesday meeting that TVK does not yet possess the required number of MLAs independently.
What role does the IUML play in Tamil Nadu's government formation?
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), along with the Left parties, holds six seats — exactly the number TVK needs to cross the majority threshold of 118. IUML national president Kader Mohideen has said the party will consult DMK president M. K. Stalin before making a final decision, citing a nearly 30-year alliance with the DMK.
Has TVK ruled out support from the BJP-led NDA?
Yes. TVK General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar explicitly ruled out seeking support from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, closing the door on any alliance with the saffron camp.
What happens if TVK fails to prove majority in Tamil Nadu?
If TVK cannot demonstrate the required 118 MLAs to the Governor, it may not be invited to form the government. In a hung assembly scenario, the Governor could explore other options, including inviting the next-largest formation or recommending President's Rule if no stable majority can be demonstrated.
