TVK's Vijay stakes claim to form Tamil Nadu government after winning 108 seats
Synopsis
In a historic political debut, actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay's TVK won 108 seats to become Tamil Nadu's single-largest party — but fell short of a majority. With Congress extending conditional support and Left parties deliberating, the next few days of coalition bargaining will decide whether Vijay becomes Chief Minister.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Vijay met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan, Chennai on 6 May to formally stake claim to form the Tamil Nadu government.
TVK won 108 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, becoming the single-largest party in the 234-member House .
The party is 10 seats short of the 118-seat majority mark , making alliance support essential.
Congress has extended conditional support to TVK; Left parties and regional outfits are yet to decide.
The ruling DMK lost power after a single term and has begun internal consultations.
TVK legislators unanimously elected Vijay as leader of the legislative party on Tuesday.
C. Joseph Vijay, leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), on Wednesday, 6 May formally staked claim to form the next government in Tamil Nadu, meeting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai after his party emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Assembly with 108 seats. The move marks the first major constitutional step toward a TVK-led government in the state.
The Governor Meeting
Vijay arrived at Lok Bhavan amid unprecedented political excitement and intense speculation over government formation. Senior TVK leaders — including 'Bussy' Anand, K.A. Sengottaiyan, Aadhav Arjuna, and Arun Raj — accompanied him for the crucial meeting. According to sources, Vijay submitted a formal letter to Governor Arlekar seeking an invitation to form the government and assured him that TVK would prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly within the stipulated time.
TVK's Electoral Debut and the Numbers
TVK's win of 108 seats in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections marks a stunning debut for the party. However, the tally falls short of the 118-seat halfway mark required for an outright majority, making alliance arithmetic the defining challenge ahead. On Tuesday, TVK legislators unanimously elected Vijay as the leader of the legislative party, formally paving the way for him to approach the Governor.
Alliance Moves and Political Activity
Hectic political activity is under way in Chennai as multiple parties weigh their options. The Indian National Congress (Congress) has already extended conditional support to TVK, while Left parties and smaller regional outfits are expected to hold internal discussions before taking a final position. Notably, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which suffered a major setback in the elections, has begun internal consultations after losing power after a single term in office.
What Happens Next
Political observers believe the coming days will be crucial in determining the shape and stability of the next government in Tamil Nadu. The Governor is expected to formally invite Vijay to form the government if he demonstrates adequate support. The floor test, if called, will be the decisive moment — and TVK will need to firm up coalition commitments before that threshold.
Point of View
If he gets there, will be structurally constrained from day one. Congress's 'conditional' support is a tell — it signals leverage-seeking, not ideological alignment. The DMK's rapid implosion after just one term also deserves scrutiny: Tamil Nadu's voters have delivered a verdict not just for Vijay, but against incumbency. Whether TVK can convert electoral momentum into stable governance without compromising its outsider identity is the central question of this political moment.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened when Vijay met the Tamil Nadu Governor?
C. Joseph Vijay met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on 6 May and submitted a formal letter staking claim to form the government. He assured the Governor that TVK would prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly within the stipulated time.
How many seats did TVK win in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections?
TVK won 108 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, making it the single-largest party in the 234-member House. However, the party fell short of the 118-seat majority mark needed to form a government on its own.
Who is supporting TVK to form the government?
The Indian National Congress has extended conditional support to TVK. Left parties and smaller regional outfits are yet to finalise their positions and are expected to hold internal discussions before deciding.
What is the current status of the DMK after the Tamil Nadu election results?
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which was the ruling party, suffered a major setback in the elections and lost power after a single term. The party has begun internal consultations in the wake of the results.
What is Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)?
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is a political party led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay. The party made a stunning electoral debut in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, winning 108 seats and emerging as the single-largest party in its very first election.
