Tamil Nadu Politics: Vijay's TVK Emerges as Single Largest Party, Governor Demands Proof of Majority
: In a seismic shift after the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats, falling short of the 118-seat majority. This fractured mandate dismantled over six decades of Dravidian dominance by DMK and AIADMK, but dramatically it has still not paved final way for Vijay’s swearing-in as Chief Minister as the event which was suppose to take place on May 9 at 11:00 am inside the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium has been cancelled abruptly on Saturday morning. Vijay met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan to stake his claim, amid rival moves like AMMK (1 seat) backing AIADMK (47 seats) and urging the Governor to invite Edappadi K Palaniswami. The Governor’s demand for proof of 118 MLAs backing TVK sparked backlash, seen as constitutionally irregular, leading to protests by TVK supporters outside Lok Bhavan, Tamil Nadu Congress near Jhansi Rani Park in Madurai and fury directed at Raj Bhavan against the BJP-led Union government. Key support came from CPI and CPI-M (2 seats each) and VCK (2 seats), providing the crucial 6 MLAs needed, alongside Congress’s 5 seats, enabling TVK to cross the majority threshold. CPI State Secretary Veerapandian hailed it as a “democratic duty” to back the single largest party, stating, “TVK needs 6 MLAs; we have given our support. We will stand with democracy and people.” CPI(M) national general secretary MA Baby explained the Left’s direct intervention to thwart “opportunistic alliances masterminded by communal forces with Union government involvement,” after consulting outgoing CM MK Stalin. TVK MLA Marie Wilson and leader Kamraj exuded confidence, with Kamraj noting Vijay’s meeting with Governor sealed the deal. Vijay’s decision to vacate one of his two won seats reduced TVK’s effective strength to 117, solidifying the arithmetic. Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi will attend the ceremony, as per Congress sources, while AIADMK’s Kovai Sathyan defended the Governor’s probe into the other 5 seats. This victory exposed rifts in the INDIA bloc, with Congress breaking from DMK-led SPA to support TVK, drawing fire from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who posted pictures with TMC’s Mamata Banerjee and DMK’s Stalin, accusing Congress of abandonment. DMK requested separate Lok Sabha seating from its decades-old Congress ally since 2004. Tamil Nadu stands on the cusp of a new era, as the on-screen hero transitions to real-life leadership of one of India’s largest states. Thol Thirumavalavan, VCK chief- All you need to know the kingmaker in Tamil Nadu politics. READ FULL STORY HERE On TVK's government formation, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge says, "There is no confusion. The single largest party has given a letter saying we have the numbers, please allow us to conduct the house. The Governor is not allowing that. The strength of the numbers has to be proved on the assembly floor, not in the Governor's house. It seems very clear that the Governor is taking directions from the government of India." On the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in West Bengal, he says, "Everybody knows how they have won in Bengal. Take the Election Commission out of the equation, BJP will be worse than a regional party. The Chief Election Commissioner is nothing but a puppet of the government of India. He's a puppet of the BJP" VCK MLA-elect Vanniarasu declared on Saturday that the party stands for "people's rule" amid Tamil Nadu's protracted government formation drama, days after Vijay's TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly. The VCK, which won 2 seats, waits on President Thol. Thirumavalavan's final decision before committing, as TVK needs 118 MLAs and sits a single supporter short. "The party would abide by Thirumavalavan's decision... We want people's rule to be established, not Governor's rule. His actions defy the Constitution," Vanniarasu told reporters, while noting CPI, CPI(M), and Congress had already pledged backing to end the DMK-AIADMK duopoly. TVK leader Spoorthi Arun confirmed that formal VCK support remains pending despite active talks, emphasizing ideological alignment between the parties. Speaking to ANI, she highlighted, "Vijay Anna is a great Ambedkar supporter fighting for social justice, just like Thirumavalavan. We are requesting his support; it's still in talks. Our shared ideologies make for a strong alliance if both parties unite." TVK leaders are actively reaching out to VCK, citing their parallel commitment to marginalized communities and anti-discrimination ethos. Supporters gathered outside TVK's Chennai office remain upbeat: "Thalapathy will cross this barrier and become CM," chanted a Coimbatore supporter, buoyed by confidence in Vijay's momentum. Vijay previously met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan, staking his claim to form the government after consolidating multi-party backing. Once sworn in, he will become Tamil Nadu's first non-Dravidian Chief Minister since 1967, shattering the DMK-AIADMK stranglehold. Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP, is slated to attend the swearing-in at Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, signaling cross-political endorsement of the new era. The suspense hinges on VCK's 2 seats to tip the arithmetic, marking Tamil Nadu on the cusp of its most profound political transformation in six decades. PMK founder Ramadoss said given the extraordinary political climate in Tamil Nadu, the governor should immediately invite the Vijay-led TVK, which stands as the single largest party in the state, to form the government. "It is the duty of everyone to bow to the people's verdict. This process must not be delayed. An invitation should be extended immediately," he said in a statement here. Noting that parties such as the Congress and Left parties have already signalled their support to the TVK in the interest of the state's welfare, he said VCK chief Thirumavalavan should follow suit. "If he offers his support, the governor should formally invite Vijay and administer the oath of office to him as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu." "Bearing the current circumstances in mind, I earnestly request my younger brother, Thirumavalavan, to immediately extend his support to TVK and by doing so, he would honour the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and facilitate the establishment of a new government," he added "It will be proved that the video was AI created," says AMMK MLA Kamaraj on TVK releasing video allegedly showing him as signing support letter for TVK. Amid ongoing political negotiations in Tamil Nadu following the fractured Assembly verdict, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TKS Elangovan on Saturday said Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) should first try to secure support from other political parties before approaching the Governor.Speaking to ANI, Elangovan said, "He (TVK chief Vijay) should first try with other political parties and then approach the Governor. If AMMK MLAs are not supporting TVK, then why should he give a letter of support? Let us see what happens when the police investigate the complaint."Further, DMK MP and senior advocate P Wilson also said Tamil Nadu had not seen such "horse trading" attempts in many years, adding that this was happening even before the new government had taken charge. On Tamil Nadu politics, Senior Advocate and Former Attorney General of India, Mukul Rohatgi says, "According to me, Vijay should have been asked by the Governor on day one to come and form the government. Even if he was ten short of the magic number, it did not matter. It is settled law, through constitutional conventions, that the leader of the largest party is called. He is allowed to gather support and form a stable government within one or two weeks. That is the practice, and it has always been done in the past. Sometimes the opportunity is given, and the person fails to secure a majority; sometimes, when time is given, they prove it. Remember, even a minority government can function if others abstain — the best example being the Narasimha Rao government in the Lok Sabha, which lasted a long time despite being a minority. The problem now is that the Governor is creating a crisis by assuming the role of the Assembly, demanding proof of 118 or whatever the number is. That is completely wrong. After such a huge election, to face either a fresh election or President’s Rule is not desired by anyone. The public has given its mandate. Thousands of crores are spent on elections, with immense manpower and hours invested. Then they say that a person who has 108 or 110 seats is not to be given a chance. It has never happened." Crowd gathers at VCK office in Chennai as TVK leader Vijay is expected to meet VCK chief Thirumavalavan. Leaders arrive at AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami’s residence in Chennai to attend a consultative meeting. CPI leader D Raja says, "There is split in INDI alliance, not only in Tamil Nadu but other states as well; Congress should introspect and see what's wrong." In a major, dramatic political turn, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK)'s X account on Friday was suspended, citing "violation of X rules."This development comes after a purported post by the VCK in support of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form a coalition government in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. AIADMK leaders arrive at the residence of AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami in Chennai today. On speculation over Tamil Nadu Congress MLAs being shifted to Bengaluru, Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar says, "It is all false. No MLAs have come to Eagleton Resort; that is completely untrue. I am not aware of it. They are saying they have gone to Hyderabad—that is also false. I am not aware of it. If the party high command says anything, then it is okay. The party high command has not spoken to me. If they speak, it is a different issue." DMK leader TKS Elangovan says, "He (TVK chief Vijay) should first try with other political parties and then approach the Governor. If AMMK MLAs are not supporting TVK, then why should he give a letter of support? Let us see what happens when the police investigates the complaint." Police deployed at VCK office, Ashok Nagar in Chennai, as TVK chief Vijay is expected to arrive here to meet VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan. AIADMK MLAs from Tamil Nadu staying at a private resort in Puducherry head back to Chennai. VIDEO | AIADMK MLAs from Tamil Nadu staying at a private resort in Puducherry head back to Chennai. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/EZkTQKRy0S On DMK MP Kanimozhi's letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla says, "Triple talaq for Congress, DMK and the INDIA alliance not only in Tamil Nadu but also in Parliament. Congress dumps its allies after using them." Dr Spoorthi Arun, State women wing coordinator, TVK, says," Vijay Anna is a great Ambedkar supporter. He is fighting for social justice. Thirumavalavan Anna is the same. We are requesting that he support TVK. We are here to request the same. It is still in the talks, and we are here for that. Given our (VCK and TVK) ideologies are on the same lines, I think it is a very strong support system if both parties come together." Dr Spoorthi Arun, State women wing coordinator, TVK is visiting VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan's residence. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rejected AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran's claims over the party's MLA-elect Kamaraj's letter extending support to Vijay for a coalition government in Tamil Nadu. Dhinakaran rushed to Lok Bhavan on Friday to deliver a letter to Governor Rajendra Arlekar, in a bid to correct the record after a "forged" letter went viral, claiming AMMK's support for Vijay's TVK. However, TVK refuted the "forged letter" claim and shared a video, saying that AMMK leader Kamaraj had backed the party to form a government. TVK further accused Dhinakaran of spreading misinformation while concealing facts related to the matter. The party, which won 108 seats in the polls and fell short of the majority mark of 118 seats, asserted that it did not need to "bargain or negotiate" with anyone for support. "This isn't my handwriting in the letter, what kind of handwriting have they forged and given. There is no support for TVK", said AMMK MLA Kamaraj. VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan will hold a meeting with the party's senior leaders on the issue of support to TVK today. Security beefed up at Lok Bhavan in Chennai amid ongoing political developments in Tamil Nadu. VIDEO | Tamil Nadu government formation: Security beefed up at Lok Bhavan in Chennai amid ongoing political developments in the state. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/XRsGRTWzmV VCK's X handle suspended amid TVK attempting coalition govt in Tamil Nadu. Vijay's CM oath has been cancelled as TVK eyes VCK support for elusive 118 majority mark to form govt in the state. Thalapathy Vijay's CM oath has been cancelled as TVK eyes VCK support for elusive 118 majority mark to form govt in Tamil Nadu today. TVK MLA Marie Wilson assured, "News by late tonight... 100% confident." Leader Kamraj added, "TVK gains full majority; Vijay meets Governor at 4:30 PM." Vijay vacating one of two seats drops TVK to 117 effective strength. Thirumavalavan huddled in overnight meetings with TVK, AIADMK's Edappadi Palaniswami, and DMK's outgoing CM MK Stalin—discussions spilling past 10:00 pm at Stalin's residence. Even after reassuring reporters of following the Left line, he held back a final call, keeping Tamil Nadu's power play in suspense. Governor's office sources confirmed Vijay mustered only 116 MLAs on record during Friday's meeting, one shy of majority after accounting for his seat vacancy. This gap reignited a frenzy of speculation in political corridors, where whispers outpaced facts. AMMK Party General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran says, "A letter was issued in support of TVK by my MLA Kamaraj. We are all shocked that I got an appointment with the Governor and I showed the real letter that I got from our CM candidate Edappadi Palaniswami... I came to know that TVK submitted a forged xerox copy of the letter and the Governor asked for the original one. This is forgery. We are going to file a criminal complaint now...". He also says, "We will ask for support from other parties and file it before the Governor and form the government." TVK shares a video of AMMK MLA Kamaraj, saying "These are the video visuals of AMMK MLA Kamaraj voluntarily and happily writing a letter expressing his support for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. He had stated that he was extending support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam with the approval of AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran. However, the information now being spread that he did not write the letter is completely false and contrary to the truth. It is essential for everyone to clearly understand this. Concealing all these facts, Dhinakaran is continuing to spread false news and misinformation. The public should understand that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has no need to bargain or negotiate with anyone." #watch | TVK shares a video of AMMK MLA Kamaraj, saying "These are the video visuals of AMMK MLA Kamaraj voluntarily and happily writing a letter expressing his support for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. He had stated that he was extending support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam… pic.twitter.com/sM3xtyXx12 The momentum shattered when numbers wobbled, with VCK chief Thirumavalavan failing to deliver a formal support letter to Governor Rajendra Arlekar by late night. Despite publicly aligning with the Left parties' pro-TVK stance, no official nod arrived, leaving Vijay's tally short. Governor's office sources confirmed Vijay mustered only 116 MLAs on record during Friday's meeting, one shy of majority after accounting for his seat vacancy. This gap reignited a frenzy of speculation in political corridors, where whispers outpaced facts. Thirumavalavan huddled in overnight meetings with TVK, AIADMK's Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), and DMK's outgoing CM M.K. Stalin—discussions spilling past 10 PM at Stalin's residence. Even after reassuring reporters of following the Left line, he held back a final call, keeping Tamil Nadu's power play in suspense.
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