Tamil Nadu Govt Formation: TVK chief Vijay unlikely take oath as new Tamil Nadu CM

The meeting convened by the VCK in Chennai on Thursday, intended to decide whether to extend support to the TVK, has been postponed. This meeting will now take place on Friday; it is reported that the VCK rescheduled its meeting to Friday because the Left parties are also scheduled to hold a meeting regarding this matter on the same day. Given that Governor Vishwanath Arlekar has requested a letter from TVK Chief Vijay attesting to the support of 118 MLAs, it remains uncertain—and a matter of suspense—whether Vijay will be able to take the oath as Chief Minister this Friday, as securing the support of the Left parties and the VCK is essential for him to reach the required tally of 118.

(Report: T Raghvan)

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Wednesday dissolved the state Legislative Assembly with effect from May 5. The assembly was dissolved following polls in the state in which Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, emerged as the single-largest party.

The VCK, an ally of DMK, will hold a meeting on May 7 to take a decision on whether to support TVK, the party sources said on Wednesday amidst efforts by Vijay's party to garner support to form the government in the state.

AIADMK rules out support to Vijay in Tamil Nadu government formation after EPS meet.

The Governor has dissolved the 16th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly with effect from May 5, 2026, according to an official communication from Lok Bhavan. This came to days after results for the Assembly election were declared on May 4. 

The possibility of actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay taking oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Thursday (May 7) appears highly unlikely, as per sources. According to sources, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar told leaders during a meeting that it would be more appropriate to proceed only after receiving a letter proving support from 118 MLAs, the number required for a majority in the State Assembly. During the meeting, Vijay submitted a letter showing support from 112 MLAs. Since he won from two constituencies, the effective strength of his party, TVK, stands at 107. So far, the Congress has officially handed over letters backing five MLAs, bringing the confirmed total to 112. READ

Superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday met DMK president M K Stalin at the latter's residence in Alwarpet here, after the declaration of the 2026 Assembly election results. The meeting is described by sources as a "courtesy call".

With the TVK approaching political parties in Tamil Nadu seeking support to form a government, the VCK, an ally of the DMK, was yet to take a decision, party sources said on Wednesday. The VCK has won two seats. TVK had sought VCK's support, sources said. VCK was yet to take a call on it. "It will be decided by our party president, Thol Thirumavalavan," a senior party functionary said.

Despite TVK's invitation, the Left parties and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) ruled out their support for Vijay's party. Vijay-led TVK secured an impressive 108 seats on its maiden electoral debut. However, it needs an additional 10 seats to form a government.

TVK chief Vijay meets Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar at the Lok Bhavan and stakes a claim to form the Government in the State.  

"Vijay has invited Rahul Gandhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony... Once the Governor gives the nod, his visit will be finalised," said Congress leader Praveen Chakravarthy after meeting with the TVK chief.

TVK Chief Vijay arrives at Tamil Nadu Lok Bhavan to stake claim to form government.

TVK chief Vijay set to meet Tamil Nadu Guv Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to stake claim to form govt.

Tamil Nadu Govt Formation LIVE: Vijay likely to take oath as Chief Minister tomorrow at 10 am

Tamil Nadu Congress leaders met TVK chief Vijay at the party headquarters in Chennai on Tuesday, following the party’s decision to support the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in forming the government.

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) have extended full support to the TVK, signalling a major political development in the state after the Assembly election results.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to attend the swearing in ceremony in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, sources said, amid fast moving political developments in the state following the Assembly election results.

The development comes after the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) decided to extend full support to actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the government. Senior Congress leaders had earlier met Vijay at the TVK headquarters in Chennai to convey the party’s support.

Tamil Nadu Congress leaders met TVK chief Vijay at the party headquarters in Chennai on Tuesday. The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) have decided to extend full support to the TVK for forming the government in the state.

Congress has extended its support to TVK in the ongoing government formation process, but with clear conditions attached. The party said its support would depend on TVK ensuring that no “communal forces” that do not believe in the Constitution of India are included in the alliance. 

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar confirms to ANI that TVK Chief Vijay is meeting with him today. He wrote a letter to him.

The strong performance of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats, has triggered major political activity within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). A section of AIADMK MLAs is now pushing for support to Vijay in the ongoing government formation process. At the centre of this movement is senior leader CVShanmugam. Read the full story here. 

The Congress Legislature Party meeting concluded in Chennai, where Rajesh Kumar was once again chosen as the party’s leader in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

According to party sources, the AIADMK has decided to extend outside support to TVK in the government formation process. Senior leaders CV Shanmugam and SP Velumani are said to have played a key role in pushing this decision.

TVK's Vijay will reach Raj Bhavan at 3:30 PM to stake claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu. 

A meeting was held between the State Secretariat officials and the Public Works Department (PWD) secretary to review preparations for the upcoming swearing-in ceremony. Discussions focused on arrangements at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, where the event is expected to take place. According to sources, if everything goes as planned, the oath-taking ceremony could be held as early as tomorrow.

The Communist Party of India (CPI), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), and Communist Party of India (Marxist) won two seats each in the new Tamil Nadu Assembly. The CPI won Thalli (T Ramachandran) and Thiruthuraipoond (K Marimuthu), while the CPM emerged victorious in Kilvelur (T Latha) and Padmanabhapuram (R Chellaswamy).

TVK Gen Sec N Anand meets Edappadi K Palaniswami, according to sources. 

Vijay is expected to reach the Raj Bhavan around 2 PM to formally stake claim to form the government in the state. At the same time, pressure is building on Edappadi K Palaniswami, with growing calls within the AIADMK to support TVK. Reports suggest there could be a split in the party if a decision is delayed.

With inputs from T Raghvan 

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has secured two seats in the new Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, with Vanni Arasu winning from Tindivanam and LE Jothimani emerging victorious in Kattumannarkoil.

Manickam Tagore said the election results have gone against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, noting that several ministers lost their seats. He added that Congress also suffered losses despite not being directly responsible. 

"The verdict has gone against the DMK government.
Half the ministers in the Cabinet have lost their seats.
We faced collateral damage for no fault of ours.
Now, BJP is eyeing Tamil Nadu.
The question before us is clear:
Should we stand with those rejected by the people’s verdict, or should we unite with the force that fought against BJP and fight to stop BJP from ruling Tamil Nadu?" hr posted on X. 

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has four MLAs in the new Tamil Nadu Assembly. Sowmiya Anbumani (Dharmapuri), A Ganeshkumar (Gingiee), C Sivakumar (Vikravandi), and G. Vaithilingam are the four newly elected MLAs of the Anbumani Ramadoss-led faction of the PMK.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), led by Anbumani Ramadoss, has secured four constituencies in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The party registered victories in Dharmapuri, Jayankondam, Vikravandi, and Gingee constituencies. 

Vishwanathan, a newly elected Congress MLA, said that he has won the election but is yet to take the oath as a legislator. He added that the party leadership will soon clear all remaining questions regarding its position on government formation. Speaking on the possibility of joining TVK, he said that many party workers have long desired such a move and that clarity will emerge shortly.

With inputs from T Raghvan 

Vijay has written separate letters to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and VCK chief Thirumavalavan, requesting their support for the party in the ongoing government formation discussions in Tamil Nadu.

With inputs from T Raghvan 

AIADMK’s legislature meeting was postponed amid growing internal unrest. Sources say a large number of the 47 AIADMK MLAs are now demanding that the party extend support to Vijay and his party TVK in the ongoing government formation process. According to reports, the situation has escalated to the point where party leadership, led by Edappadi K Palaniswami, has been indirectly warned that if a decision is not taken soon, more than 30 MLAs could break ranks and back TVK independently.

With inputs from T Raghvan 

The four elected MLAs of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) met Vijay, chief of TVK, at his residence in Chennai.

With inputs from T Raghvan 

Reacting to the Congress decision to support TVK, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said the move amounts to “backstabbing” and questioned Congress’s change in stance. He said the Congress had chosen to “flip sides” by supporting TVK, adding that the reasons given by the party were not convincing. He also said that while Congress has cited keeping BJP and RSS away as a reason, the decision raises serious questions about political trust within alliances.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has confirmed that its two MLAs will continue to remain with the DMK alliance. 

With inputs from T Raghvan 

Left parties have sought time until May 8 to decide on whether to extend their support in the ongoing government formation talks.

With inputs from T Raghvan

Some MLAs from the AIADMK have urged party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami to consider giving outside support to TVK in the ongoing government formation talks. A final decision on this issue is expected to be taken later today.

With inputs from T Raghvan

The Congress has decided to support TVK, reportedly seeking two ministerial positions. A meeting is set to take place shortly at the TNCC office, after which Congress’s five MLAs are likely to meet Vijay and submit a formal letter of support to the Governor.

With inputs from T Raghvan

Vijay is expected to meet the Governor today to stake claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu. This comes after his party emerged as the single-largest force in the Assembly.

With inputs from T Raghvan

TVK has lodged its 108 MLAs-elect at a hotel in Chengalpattu, Mahabalipuram, as it tries to garner support from other parties to gain majority for government formation. 

Actor-politician Vijay’s electoral debut has been marked by high drama, much like his film appearances, though it was overshadowed by the tragic stampede in Karur that claimed 41 lives on September 27, 2025. Vijay did not rely on the traditional Dravidian parties' narratives of identity and having a stance showcasing the population as different from the heartland or the Hindi-speaking masses. Instead, he chose to be a leader of the people, driving out votes from these parties' support base. Among his key poll promises is the provision of 8 gm of gold for marriage, with gold priced at around Rs 14,000 per gram for 22 carat. Read the full story here. 

Tamil Nadu has seen a significant change in its political landscape after the debut performance of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, the party has surprised many by becoming the largest in the Assembly elections. TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member House.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which had been a dominant force, finished in second place with 59 seats. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) followed with 47 seats.

Other parties had a smaller presence in the Assembly. The Congress managed to win 5 seats, while the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) secured 4. 

Visuals emerged from outside the residence of Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

TVK is in touch with smaller parties to cross the majority mark. The party has also moved its MLAs to a resort in Mamallapuram as discussions continue. Vijay has written to Governor Rajendra Arlekar, seeking an invitation to form the government and promising to prove majority within two weeks. Sources say Vijay could take oath as Chief Minister on May 7 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium.

The Congress leadership, after a late-night meeting, has decided to support Vijay in forming the government. Senior leader KC Venugopal said the party wants a secular government in Tamil Nadu and is against allowing BJP influence in the state.

After the big win, Vijay thanked the people of Tamil Nadu, calling the result a “historic and transformative mandate.” He especially credited young voters, saying their strong support played a key role in TVK’s success.