Vijay to meet Thirumavalavan as TVK hunts 2 seats for Tamil Nadu majority
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu's post-election drama has narrowed to a single meeting: actor-turned-politician Vijay visiting VCK chief Thirumavalavan to secure the two seats that stand between TVK and power. With the Governor having already declined to invite TVK and the IUML holding firm with the DMK, the VCK's two MLAs are now the most consequential votes in Tamil Nadu politics.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Vijay is set to meet VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan at VCK headquarters in Ashok Nagar, Chennai on 9 May .
TVK won 108 seats in the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections ; the majority mark is 118 seats in the 234-member House .
With Congress (5 MLAs) , CPI , and CPI-M support, TVK's tally stands at 116 — two seats short.
Acting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar declined to invite TVK to form the government, citing absence of majority support.
IUML ruled out backing TVK; VCK's 2 seats are now the decisive factor in government formation.
Discussions reportedly include VCK possibly joining a TVK-led government, not just offering outside support.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay is set to personally visit the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) headquarters in Ashok Nagar, Chennai on 9 May to meet party leader Thol Thirumavalavan, as TVK scrambles to secure the two remaining seats it needs to claim a majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Heavy police security has been deployed around the VCK office ahead of the high-stakes meeting.
Where TVK Stands
TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, winning 108 seats in the 234-member House. The majority mark stands at 118 seats. With the support of Congress (5 MLAs) and unconditional outside backing from both the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), TVK's effective tally has climbed to 116 MLAs — still two short of the threshold.
The Governor's Decision and Its Fallout
Acting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar declined to invite TVK to form the government, citing the absence of a clear majority in the Assembly. The decision triggered an intensified round of political outreach by TVK, which approached parties within the DMK-led alliance — including the VCK, CPI, CPI-M, and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) — to shore up numbers.
Who Said What
The Left parties — CPI and CPI-M — announced unconditional outside support to Vijay's government-formation bid while clarifying they would maintain their broader political association with the DMK-led alliance. The IUML, however, ruled out backing TVK and reiterated its alignment with the DMK alliance, leaving the VCK's two seats as the decisive variable.
What the VCK Decides Next
Political sources indicated that discussions are also centred on possible participation of the VCK in a prospective TVK-led government — not merely outside support. The VCK is expected to announce its stand later in the day. The outcome of Vijay's meeting with Thirumavalavan will determine whether Tamil Nadu moves closer to resolving its post-election political uncertainty or remains in a prolonged stalemate over government formation.
Point of View
And reports of cabinet participation discussions suggest he knows it. The Governor's refusal to invite TVK despite Congress support was itself a political signal worth scrutinising — it has effectively extended the bargaining window and increased the cost of every remaining seat. If the VCK extracts a cabinet berth, it sets a template for how small parties can punch well above their electoral weight in a fragmented Tamil Nadu. The real story here is not just who forms the government, but what the terms of that formation reveal about the durability of the DMK alliance's old architecture.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Vijay meeting Thirumavalavan?
Vijay is meeting VCK chief Thirumavalavan to seek support from VCK's 2 MLAs, which would take TVK's tally to 118 — the minimum required for a majority in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. TVK currently has the backing of 116 MLAs including Congress, CPI, and CPI-M.
How many seats did TVK win in the Tamil Nadu elections?
TVK won 108 seats in the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, making it the single-largest party. The majority mark in the 234-member House is 118 seats.
Why did the Governor decline to invite TVK to form the government?
Acting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar declined to invite TVK because the party had not demonstrated a clear majority in the Assembly at the time of the request, despite Congress extending support with its 5 MLAs.
Which parties have supported TVK so far?
Congress (5 MLAs), CPI, and CPI-M have extended support to TVK, bringing its effective tally to 116 seats. The IUML has ruled out support and remains aligned with the DMK alliance.
What role could the VCK play in a TVK government?
Political sources indicate that discussions include not just outside support but possible participation of the VCK in a prospective TVK-led government, meaning VCK could receive cabinet representation in exchange for its backing.
