Tamil Nadu Government Formation: DMK Supports TVK Leader Vijay to Form Government

In a significant twist to the unfolding political drama in Tamil Nadu , DMK chief MK Stalin has extended support to TVK leader Vijay, stating that his party does not want any constitutional crisis and is ready to let Vijay form the government. “Let Vijay form the government, don’t want any constitutional crisis,” he told The Times of India. This unexpected move comes even as TVK remains short of the majority mark with an effective strength of 107 seats in the 233-member Assembly. It marks a sharp departure from the late Wednesday developments, where DMK and AIADMK were actively exploring a possible alliance as a fallback option if Vijay failed to prove his majority. Stalin’s statement appears to ease immediate tensions and could pave the way for Vijay’s swearing-in, provided the Governor is satisfied with the support letters. Stalin while in conversation with TOI said that the DMK was keen to avoid any constitutional crisis or the need for fresh elections in the near future. He said he hoped the new government would continue the welfare schemes launched by his administration, while also implementing the key promises made by TVK in its election manifesto. When asked about his top priorities, Stalin highlighted the importance of continuing the free breakfast scheme for schoolchildren and the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai, the Rs 1,000 monthly financial assistance provided to women heads of households. Responding to Vijay’s poll promise of Rs 2,500 per month to women, Stalin noted that fulfilling such a high amount would be challenging and urged the new government to at least retain the existing Rs 1,000 scheme implemented by the DMK. Stay wth us for live coverage and updates on Tamil Nadu’s new government formation: Calling the situation “condemnable,” Congress alleged that constitutional norms and established conventions were being weakened. He said the process of inviting the single-largest party should have happened earlier and expressed regret over what he described as a dilution of democratic and constitutional practices during the ongoing political developments in the state, as per PTI. Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi highlighted that TVK’s shortfall was only around seven to eight seats and said the Governor could still ask the party to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly within 10 to 12 days. He questioned why hesitation remained when no rival alliance or formation had formally staked claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu. Hundreds of supporters of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay returned disappointed on Thursday after reaching Chennai’s Nehru Indoor Stadium for the expected swearing-in ceremony, only to find the venue locked and no official information available. Fans and party workers who had travelled from places including Arumbakkam and Coimbatore said they were heartbroken after arriving early with hopes of witnessing Vijay take oath as chief minister, according to PTI. Senior Advocate and Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi said Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar should invite the single-largest party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), to form the government. He said constitutional traditions, legal precedents, and democratic norms support giving the first opportunity to the largest party in the Assembly, according to ANI. TVK leaders arrived at the party headquarters as party chief Vijay headed to Lok Bhawan to meet the Tamil Nadu Governor. #watch | Chennai | TVK leaders arrive at the party headquarters as their chief Vijay heads to Lok Bhawan to meet Tamil Nadu Governor pic.twitter.com/GfRHSly23V In the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, the majority mark stands at 118, and several possible alliance combinations are being discussed to reach that figure. By Wednesday evening, speculation on social media had intensified over different political arrangements, including talk of an unlikely understanding between long-time rivals, the DMK and the AIADMK. However, DMK spokesperson A. Saravanan dismissed such reports during a conversation with Times Now. The Congress has already announced support for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, pushing the alliance tally to 113 seats, still short of the required majority. Meanwhile, actor-politician Vijay contested from two constituencies and secured victories in both. Under election rules, the 51-year-old leader must vacate one of the seats within 14 days after the official notification of the results. Sridhar Vembu questioned the stability of new government likely to emerge from the current political situation in Tamil Nadu, saying the numbers were not convincing enough for a stable administration. He suggested that the state may be better served by President’s Rule followed by fresh elections conducted under strict monitoring to prevent cash-for-votes practices. The numbers don't seem to add up. Whatever government is cobbled together is likely to be unstable with various pulls and pressures. Tamil Nadu deserves better. President's rule with fresh elections may be the best course, this time with a very strict "no cash for votes"… MK Stalin on Wednesday signalled that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam would not stand in the way if actor-politician Vijay succeeds in forming the next government in Tamil Nadu after his party’s strong performance in the Assembly elections. Speaking to The Times of India, Stalin said Vijay should be allowed to form the government and expressed hope that the incoming administration would continue welfare measures introduced during the DMK regime while also implementing the promises made by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in its manifesto. Stalin particularly stressed the importance of continuing key social welfare schemes, including the free breakfast programme for school students and the ‘Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai’ initiative, under which women heads of households receive a monthly assistance of ₹1,000. As political activity intensifies in Tamil Nadu, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has moved several of its MLAs to a luxury resort in Mamallapuram while working to secure enough support to form the government. More than 50 legislators are currently staying at a private hotel in Poonjeri, with additional party members expected to join them. Security arrangements around the resort have also been increased. Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar has asked the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to submit formal documents proving it has enough support to command a majority before its chief Vijay is invited to form the government. The demand has delayed TVK’s push for an early swearing-in ceremony, which the party had hoped to hold on Thursday or Friday. According to the original plan, actor-turned-politician Vijay and a small group of senior leaders were expected to take oath first and then seek around two weeks to prove their majority in the Assembly. TVK emerged as the single largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly after winning 108 seats, but it remains 10 seats short of the majority mark. Although the Congress has now backed TVK and ended its long-standing alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, its support alone is insufficient because the party has only five MLAs in the new Assembly. In a major political shift in Tamil Nadu, the Congress on Wednesday ended its long-running alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and joined hands with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to form the next government in the state. The move came after TVK emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Assembly elections, winning 108 seats in the 234-member House. Congress leaders described the new partnership as one based on equal respect, balanced power-sharing and joint responsibility. The party also indicated that the alliance was not limited to government formation and would continue into future local body, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections. The decision has triggered sharp reactions from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, with several party leaders accusing the Congress of betraying a trusted ally. The split effectively ends a political partnership that had remained largely stable for nearly two decades and had played a key role in both state and national politics over the years. The unexpected development comes despite TVK still falling short of the majority mark, with an effective strength of 107 seats in the 233-member Assembly. The move marks a significant shift from late Wednesday’s political activity, when the DMK and AIADMK were reportedly exploring a possible alliance as a backup plan in case Vijay failed to demonstrate majority support. Stalin’s latest remarks appear to ease immediate political uncertainty and could clear the path for Vijay’s swearing-in, provided the Governor is convinced by the submitted letters of support. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M. K. Stalin told The Times of India that his party would wait and watch as actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) moves to form the government in Tamil Nadu. Speaking to TOI on Wednesday, Stalin said the DMK would “watch without disturbing for six months.”