VCK's Thirumavalavan: No decision yet on backing TVK to form government
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu's first hung Assembly in decades has produced an unexpected frontrunner — actor Vijay's TVK — but 12 seats short of a majority, the real contest has moved off the ballot and into backroom negotiations. VCK's Thirumavalavan has signalled caution, insisting on Left-alliance consultations before any move, leaving TVK's government bid in suspense.
Key Takeaways
Thirumavalavan confirmed on 5 May that no decision has been taken on supporting TVK to form the government.
TVK , led by actor-politician Vijay , won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly — the single largest party but short of the 118-seat majority mark.
The party has staked a claim before Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and sought two weeks to prove majority.
VCK says it will consult CPI-M and CPI before taking a collective stand; Congress is also assessing its options.
No formal outreach has yet been made by TVK to any party for post-poll alliance talks.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan on Tuesday, 5 May said that no decision has been taken on extending support to actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), as Tamil Nadu recorded a fractured mandate in its Assembly elections. The state now faces an uncertain path to government formation, with multiple parties weighing their options.
Election Outcome and the Hung Assembly
The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, held in a single phase on 23 April, produced a dramatic result: TVK — led by the actor-turned-politician Vijay — surged ahead of both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), securing 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly. However, the party fell short of the majority mark of 118 seats, leaving the state with a hung House and government formation contingent on post-poll alliances.
Despite the shortfall, TVK has staked a claim to form the government before Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, citing its position as the single largest party. The party is understood to have sought two weeks to prove its majority on the floor of the House.
The Numbers Game: Who Holds the Key
With 12 additional seats required to cross the halfway mark, political attention has firmly shifted to potential support from other formations. The Congress, the DMK and its Left allies, sections within the AIADMK-led alliance, and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) are all seen as pivotal players in the evolving scenario. Notably, no formal outreach has yet been made by the TVK to any party for alliance discussions, according to available information.
Leaders across political formations have indicated that any decision on support would follow internal deliberations, reflecting the cautious mood across party lines.
What VCK and Left Parties Said
Addressing a press conference, Thirumavalavan said the VCK would take decisions only in consultation with its allies.
Point of View
A feat no new party in the state has managed in living memory. Yet winning the most seats is not the same as winning power. The VCK's studied neutrality, couched in the language of 'consultation with allies,' is classic leverage politics: the longer Thirumavalavan waits, the higher the price of his support. What mainstream coverage misses is that the Left parties' collective stance — CPI-M and CPI together — could be decisive in a 12-seat gap, and their ideological distance from TVK's personality-driven politics makes any deal complicated. The next fortnight will reveal whether Vijay's political debut ends in government or a second election.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did VCK leader Thirumavalavan say about supporting TVK?
VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said on 5 May that no decision has been taken on extending support to TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu. He added that the VCK would discuss the matter with the Communist parties — CPI-M and CPI — before arriving at a collective stand.
How many seats did TVK win in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections?
TVK, led by actor-politician Vijay, won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly in elections held on 23 April, making it the single largest party. However, it fell short of the 118-seat majority required to form a government on its own.
Which parties could be key to TVK forming the government?
The Congress, DMK and its Left allies, sections within the AIADMK-led alliance, and the PMK are seen as key players who could provide the 12 additional seats TVK needs. However, no formal outreach has yet been made by TVK to any of these parties.
Has TVK staked a claim to form the government?
Yes, TVK has staked a claim before Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, citing its position as the single largest party in the Assembly. The party is understood to have sought two weeks to prove its majority on the floor of the House.
What is the significance of the Tamil Nadu election result?
The result produced a hung Assembly — a rare outcome in Tamil Nadu — with TVK's debut performance upending the traditional DMK-AIADMK dominance. The fractured mandate has shifted the focus to post-poll negotiations, making smaller parties like VCK, CPI-M, and CPI unexpectedly influential.
