Vijay stakes claim to form Tamil Nadu govt with 120-MLA support
Synopsis
Less than a year after launching TVK into electoral politics, actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay has crossed the majority mark in Tamil Nadu's 234-member Assembly with 120 legislators behind him — a coalition spanning Congress, CPI, CPI-M, VCK, and IUML. A swearing-in as Chief Minister is reportedly set for Saturday morning, marking one of the most dramatic political debuts in the state's history.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Vijay formally staked claim to form the Tamil Nadu government on 8 May 2025 after assembling 120 legislators — above the 118-seat majority mark.
TVK won 108 seats in the April 23 Assembly elections , emerging as the single largest party; results were declared on May 4 .
Alliance partners — Congress (5 MLAs) , CPI (2) , CPI-M (2) , VCK (2) , and IUML (2) — provided the crucial numbers.
The swearing-in ceremony is reportedly scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday in Chennai .
Vijay must vacate one of the two Assembly constituencies he won, per Election Commission of India rules.
This marks TVK's debut election — the first time a party in its maiden poll has become the single largest party in Tamil Nadu.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay on Friday, 8 May formally staked claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu, after assembling the support of 120 legislators — comfortably above the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Assembly. Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi at Raj Bhavan, Chennai, and submitted letters of support from allied parties and independent backers.
How the Numbers Add Up
TVK emerged as the single largest party in the April 23 Assembly elections, whose results were declared on May 4, winning 108 seats. The party, however, initially fell short of the 118-seat majority threshold. The gap was bridged when Congress became the first party to extend support, with its five newly-elected MLAs backing Vijay. On Friday evening, the Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) — each holding two MLAs in the new Assembly — also formally announced support, pushing the Vijay camp to 120 legislators.
What the Governor Is Expected to Do Next
According to sources, Governor R.N. Ravi is expected to formally invite Vijay to form the government later on Friday or early Saturday. The swearing-in ceremony is reportedly slated for 11 a.m. on Saturday in Chennai. This comes after days of intense political uncertainty triggered by the fractured mandate from the April polls.
Vijay's Outreach to Allies
Following his meeting with the Governor, Vijay visited the CPI state headquarters in Chennai and personally thanked Left party leaders for their support. Leaders of the backing parties stated that their decision was aimed at ensuring political stability in the state and preventing prolonged uncertainty. Notably, this broad-based coalition spans the Left, a minority party, and a Dalit rights outfit — reflecting the diverse arithmetic Vijay has had to stitch together.
The Dual-Seat Complication
Vijay was elected from two Assembly constituencies in the April polls. Under Election Commission of India (ECI) regulations, an individual cannot hold two seats simultaneously, meaning he will be required to vacate one constituency before assuming office as Chief Minister.
A Historic Moment in Tamil Nadu Politics
The developments mark a watershed in the state's political history. TVK was formally launched into electoral politics less than a year ago, and Vijay is now poised to become Tamil Nadu's next Chief Minister — a remarkable ascent from cinema to the state's highest executive office. This is the first time a party in its debut election has emerged as the single largest party in Tamil Nadu, underscoring the scale of the political disruption Vijay has delivered.
Point of View
And it has done so not through a grand alliance built over years but through a last-minute patchwork of Left parties, Congress, and minority outfits. The real question is whether this coalition of convenience can hold when governance gets hard. Vijay's lack of administrative experience, combined with partners who have divergent ideological pulls, makes this a high-wire act from Day One. The dual-constituency issue is a minor procedural footnote; the larger test is whether a debut Chief Minister can convert cinematic mass appeal into durable political capital.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did C. Joseph Vijay secure a majority to form the Tamil Nadu government?
Vijay's TVK won 108 seats in the April 23 elections but initially fell short of the 118-seat majority. Support from Congress (5 MLAs), CPI (2), CPI-M (2), VCK (2), and IUML (2) pushed his alliance to 120 legislators, clearing the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly.
When is the Tamil Nadu swearing-in ceremony expected to take place?
According to sources, the swearing-in ceremony is reportedly scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday in Chennai, following the Governor's formal invitation to Vijay to form the government.
What is Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)?
TVK is a political party founded by actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay. It contested its debut Assembly election in Tamil Nadu in April 2025 and emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats — a historic result for a party in its first election.
Why does Vijay need to vacate one Assembly seat?
Vijay was elected from two constituencies in the April 2025 polls. Election Commission of India regulations prohibit an individual from holding two Assembly seats simultaneously, so he must resign from one before being sworn in as Chief Minister.
Which parties have extended support to Vijay's government bid?
Congress, the Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) have all formally announced support for TVK's government formation bid.
