Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar at the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday and staked claim to form the next government in the state. The development comes hours after the Congress party extended its support to TVK following a meeting between Vijay and senior Congress leaders.
Political Maneuvering Intensifies
The meeting between Vijay and the Governor marks a significant step in the post-election scenario, as TVK emerges as a key player in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026. The party, which contested the elections for the first time, has secured a substantial number of seats, positioning itself as a potential ruling party.
Sources close to the TVK chief confirmed that Vijay submitted a letter of support from the Congress party along with other allied parties, claiming the required majority to form the government. The Governor is expected to review the claim and may invite TVK to form the government if satisfied with the numbers.
Congress Support Bolsters TVK's Position
The Congress party's decision to support TVK came after a series of discussions between Vijay and Congress leaders, including senior party functionaries from Tamil Nadu. The alliance is seen as a strategic move to counter the Dravidian major parties, DMK and AIADMK, which have traditionally dominated the state's politics.
In a statement, the Congress party said that it believes in TVK's vision for Tamil Nadu and that the alliance would ensure a stable and progressive government. The party also urged other like-minded parties to join the coalition.
Governor's Role in Government Formation
Governor Rajendra Arlekar, who met Vijay at the Lok Bhavan, is now tasked with verifying the claims of majority. According to constitutional provisions, the Governor may invite the single largest party or a coalition with a clear majority to form the government. If no party has an outright majority, the Governor may ask the claimant to prove majority on the floor of the Assembly.
Political analysts suggest that TVK's claim, backed by Congress and possibly other smaller parties, could lead to the formation of a new government in Tamil Nadu. However, the final decision rests with the Governor, who will assess the feasibility of the coalition.
Reactions from Political Circles
The development has drawn mixed reactions from other political parties. The DMK, which is also staking claim to form the government, has questioned the legitimacy of TVK's claim, stating that the numbers are not in their favor. Meanwhile, the AIADMK has remained cautious, awaiting the Governor's decision.
Supporters of TVK celebrated outside the Raj Bhavan, expressing confidence that their leader would become the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The party has called for a peaceful transition of power and urged all parties to respect the democratic process.
Next Steps
The Governor is expected to make a decision within the next 24 to 48 hours. If TVK is invited to form the government, Vijay will have to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly within a stipulated time frame. The Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 have resulted in a hung Assembly, making coalition politics crucial for government formation.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are on the Raj Bhavan, where the future of Tamil Nadu's governance will be decided.
