Tamil Nadu Govt Formation highlights: VCK demands Deputy CM's post for Thirumavalavan

Meanwhile, a major development is emerging: AMMK Chief TTV Dhinakaran has met with the Governor and handed over a letter, stating that E. Palaniswami enjoys the support of 120 MLAs and should be granted permission to stake a claim to form the government.

VCK demands Deputy CM's post for Thirumavalavan in Tamil Nau government formation. 

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has clarified that it has no role in the formation of the new government and continues to remain part of the DMK alliance. The party stated that it had only expressed willingness to support the Governor's decision on government formation, not the structure of the new administration. With this clarification, the TVK now has confirmed support of 118 MLAs.

Actor-turned politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay is set to take oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday (May 9). As per the information, the oath-taking ceremony will take place at 11 am. This comes after Vijay met Governor RV Arlekar for the third time on Friday and staked claim to form the government after consolidating support from multiple parties following the fractured mandate in the recently concluded Assembly elections.

TVK chief Vijay has departed for Lok Bhavan, where he is scheduled to meet Governor RV Arlekar to discuss the formation of the new government in Tamil Nadu.

TVK chief Vijay has prepared a formal letter stating the support of 121 MLAs to be submitted to the Tamil Nadu Governor. The document lists backing from 107 MLAs of his own party, along with support from other parties mentioned below.

• Congress: 5 MLAs
• CPI (M): 2 MLAs
• CPI: 2 MLAs
• VCK: 2 MLAs
• IUML: 2 MLAs
• AMMK: 1 MLA

Amid the ongoing impasse in Tamil Nadu, Outgoing Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin has urged Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to take any immediate action for the formation of the government in the state and avoid delay in the process. 

The CPM has issued a letter of support to Vijay's TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu.

Amid the ongoing tussle regarding government formation in Tamil Nadu,  the CPM, CPI and VCK have expressed their intention to back Vijay. However, discussions among the three parties are still in progress, with an official announcement expected once the meeting concludes.

(Inputs from T Raghavan) 

As per media reports, Actor-turned-politician Vijay is slated to meet Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar at 4:30 pm today amid the ongoing tussle over government formation. This will be their third interaction since the 2026 Assembly Election results.

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran on Friday said the party fully accepts the Assembly election results and respects the mandate given by the people of the state.

He said the BJP believes the people of Tamil Nadu have not given the party the numbers or opportunity to form the government and therefore the party does not wish to be associated with any efforts to create a new government in the state.

Nagendran clarified that the Tamil Nadu BJP would not directly participate in any government formation exercise and also announced that the party would not vote in support of any political formation attempting to form the government.

CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby on Friday said it, along with its allies CPI and VCK, was holding consultations to end the ongoing political deadlock in Tamil Nadu and ensure that the people’s mandate is respected.

The party said the three allies would arrive at a decision within the next few hours after discussions on the current political situation.

“We, CPI(M), in consultation with friendly parties CPI and VCK, have decided to discuss the matter and take a view so that this manufactured stalemate can be avoided and the verdict given by the people of Tamil Nadu can be respected,” the party said.

VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan on Friday met TVK chief Vijay ahead of a crucial party meeting scheduled later in the evening.

The meeting comes amid ongoing political discussions over possible support to Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in the government formation process in Tamil Nadu.

The VCK is expected to hold an important meeting in the evening to decide whether the party will extend support to TVK.

The Tamil Nadu Congress has reportedly warned of a protest march and possible siege of Raj Bhavan if Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar does not invite TVK chief Vijay to form the government in the state.

TVK, which emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections, is still around 10 seats short of the majority mark of 118 and remains short by about 5 seats even after receiving support from the Congress.

Madurai City Congress President Nallamani accused the Governor of acting under BJP influence and said constitutional norms must be followed.

“The Governor of Tamil Nadu is functioning as an agent of the BJP. As per the law, the Governor must invite TVK to form the government. If the Governor fails to invite the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to form the government, we will lay siege to Raj Bhavan,” Nallamani said, according to ANI.

Amid intense political negotiations in Tamil Nadu, Communist Party of India (CPI) State Secretary Binoy Viswam on Friday said the party would take a “correct” decision later in the day on whether to support TVK chief Vijay in forming the government.

“Our party is in the process of decision-making. We will make a correct decision today itself,” Viswam told ANI.

He said a crucial meeting involving the CPI, CPM and VCK was currently underway in Chennai and that a final conclusion could be reached within the next two to three hours.

Viswam also said the CPI’s national executive would meet in Delhi as discussions over the government formation continue.

Amid the suspense over government formation and TVK's hurdles in getting the job done, party chief Vijay shared a post, lauding Tamil Nadu students for Class 12 results in the state.

"To my dear little brother who tasted the fruit of success through unwavering perseverance in the 12th standard public exam, heartfelt congratulations to you and your sisters! This victory is the recognition earned by your hard work. Step forward with confidence towards the next phase of higher education. At the same time, those who couldn't achieve success this time should not lose heart. Try again. Remember that we are right on the verge of victory," he wrote.

DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Friday appeared to dismiss, for now, speculation about a possible alliance with the AIADMK amid the ongoing uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu.

“I don’t know. There is no such idea as of now,” Elangovan said when asked about reports of a possible DMK AIADMK tie up.

On whether the DMK would attempt to form the government if TVK fails to secure enough support, he said the party would wait for further developments.

“The Governor has given time until the 10th. We will have to wait and see. If Vijay is unable to form the government, we will reconsider the situation, hold discussions with our allies and then take a decision,” he said.

CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar on Friday said the party’s stand on the Tamil Nadu government formation was clear and that the single largest party should be invited first to form the government.

He questioned the Governor’s approach, asking whether the response would have been different if the BJP had emerged as the single largest party. Kumar pointed out that in several other states, Governors had invited the single largest party to stake claim to power.

“The first things should come first,” he said, adding that the CPI does not want a BJP backed government to come to power in Tamil Nadu as it would go against the people’s mandate.

Kumar said the party wants a democratic government in the state and stressed that the public mandate should not be undermined or Tamil Nadu politics controlled by the BJP.

VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said the party has convened a core committee meeting at 5 pm on Friday, during which leaders from across Tamil Nadu will participate through a Zoom meeting.

He said the final decision on extending support to TVK would be taken after the meeting. Thirumavalavan added that the VCK has so far acted in coordination with the Left parties and would continue to move along with their collective decision.

He further said the party’s stand would be officially announced through a press release either late Friday night or by Saturday morning.

Police detained and removed a TVK supporter protesting outside Lok Bhavan in Chennai against Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar over the delay in inviting TVK chief Vijay to form the next government despite the party emerging as the single largest formation in the Assembly elections.

A supporter gathered outside TVK chief Vijay’s residence expressed confidence that the party would form the government, saying the public had given its mandate to Vijay while rejecting the DMK.

“Vijay will take charge. DMK has been totally rejected. The people voted for Vijay. DMK has no ground. The Governor should take the appropriate decision,” the supporter said.

DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Friday dismissed speculation about a possible alliance between the DMK and AIADMK, saying such a political arrangement was unlikely given the long standing rivalry between the 2 parties.

“I don’t think it is possible because DMK and AIADMK are the major enemies in Tamil Nadu politics,” Elangovan said while responding to questions on reports of a possible tie up between the Dravidian rivals.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Friday launched a sharp attack on the DMK amid speculation over a possible alliance between the DMK and AIADMK to prevent TVK from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.

Reacting to the political developments, Tagore questioned “who is the real betrayer” and accused the 2 Dravidian rivals of coming together only to stop TVK chief Vijay.

“Two Dravidian parties, lifelong rivals, united overnight. Not for the sake of Tamil Nadu. Not for the sake of secularism. But solely to stop one man, Vijay. The Congress saw this clearly and walked out,” Tagore said in a post on X.

AIADMK MP M Thambidurai said there is strong public sentiment in favour of the party returning to power in Tamil Nadu and expressed confidence that it could happen in the future.

“The public sentiment is there that AIADMK has to come back to power. That may happen in due course of time with the grace of God,” he said.

A TVK supporter staged a protest outside Lok Bhavan in Chennai against Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for not inviting TVK chief Vijay to form the next government despite the party emerging as the single largest formation in the Assembly elections.

Vijay-led TCK's crucial meeting is underway at the party headquarters, which is being attended by senior leaders and MLAs. The meeting focuses on alliance strategy and ways to counter possible political manoeuvres aimed at destabilising the party.

The Tamil Nadu Congress stepped up its attack on Governor R V Arlekar through a series of social media posts, accusing him of weakening democratic values and attempting to alter the public mandate delivered in the Assembly elections.

In its posts, the party said, “Governor, don’t rule, don’t destroy democracy,” while asserting that governments are formed on the floor of the Assembly and not “on the lawns of Raj Bhavan.”

The Congress also accused the BJP and the RSS of trying to influence the political situation in the state. “Tamil Nadu rejects RSS BJP proxy games and political claims,” the party said, adding, “Democracy must lead, not political greed.”

When asked whether TVK had the numbers required to form the new government in Tamil Nadu, party leader P Venkataramanan said, “Give us one hour, we will update you in an hour.”

Asked further if the party was confident about forming the government, Venkataramanan replied, “Sure.”

Visuals from outside Lok Bhavan in Chennai, where the Congress has launched a statewide protest against the BJP led Union government and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

The party has accused the Governor of delaying the invitation to TVK chief Vijay to form the next government despite his party emerging as the single largest formation in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The Congress has also officially extended its support to TVK.

The future of Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government bid now largely depends on the stand taken by the CPI, CPM and VCK, with the three parties emerging as key players in the ongoing political uncertainty in Tamil Nadu.

TVK has formally reached out to all three parties, seeking their support to cross the majority mark and stake claim to form the government.

The CPI, CPM and VCK are expected to announce their decision by this evening. Sources said there is growing opinion within the three parties that the mandate should be respected and support should be extended to TVK as the single largest party. However, the leadership is also said to be under pressure from the DMK to take a cautious and carefully considered decision, as all three parties have been long time allies of the DMK led alliance.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary MA Baby said the CPI(M) would work together with the CPI and VCK to prevent the BJP from “grabbing power” in Tamil Nadu amid the ongoing uncertainty over government formation in the state.

Amid speculation of a possible split within the AIADMK over whether the party should support Vijay-led TVK, 28 AIADMK MLAs are currently staying at a resort in Puducherry. However, the party has denied reports of any internal differences.

So far, the Congress is the only party that has publicly announced support for TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu. Speculation continues over possible backing from the AIADMK, which won 47 seats in the Assembly polls, but no official confirmation has been made. The VCK and Left parties have said they will announce their stand on Friday.

CPM state secretary T T Shanmugam said that constitutionally, TVK should get the first opportunity to form the government following the hung Assembly verdict in Tamil Nadu. Speaking in Chennai, he said Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar should invite TVK chief Vijay to stake claim as his party had emerged ahead of others in the election results. He added that Tamil Nadu had never witnessed such a hung Assembly situation before. 

Political developments surrounding the AIADMK and DMK are expected to remain closely watched after both parties held separate meetings with their MLAs. Leaders reportedly instructed legislators to abide by any decision taken by the party leadership, intensifying speculation over possible future alliances or strategies.

Sources in Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam said the party has not yet taken any decision on resignations in the event of the AIADMK and DMK coming together to form the government. According to sources, discussions are still underway and no final call has been taken.

Adding to the political activity in Tamil Nadu, the Congress is set to hold a protest at 11 am on Friday against Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and the BJP over the delay in inviting TVK to form the government.