Suspense Over Vijay Becoming CM: TVK's 107 MLAs Threaten to Resign; Supporters Protest Against Governor

Riding a cinematic wave in Tamil Nadu politics, the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)—led by Thalapathy Vijay—has emerged as the single largest party. While it has shattered the decades-old dominance of the DMK and AIADMK, the path to power in Chennai still faces significant hurdles.

Vijay’s party has fallen short of the numbers required to prove a majority in the 234-member Legislative Assembly, thereby presenting a challenge regarding government formation before Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

TVK Falls 10 Seats Short of Majority Mark

In the recent election results, Vijay’s TVK outperformed both the DMK and AIADMK, securing victory in 108 seats. However, the “magic figure” required for a majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly stands at 118—a mark from which the TVK currently remains 10 seats away.

Meanwhile, with the support of 5 Congress MLAs, the total tally for Vijay’s alliance reaches 113; however, this figure is set to drop to 112 after Vijay vacates one of the two seats he won. With the alliance falling 5 to 6 seats short of a majority, the matter of government formation currently hangs in the balance.

Raj Bhavan Sets Condition: Prove Majority Support

On Thursday, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar invited Vijay to the Raj Bhavan and made it clear that, as of now, he has not yet established the necessary majority support required to form a government. The Governor has requested from Vijay a list and details of the MLAs on whose strength the TVK is staking its claim to form the government.

On the other hand, there is speculation that if either the DMK or the AIADMK attempts to seize power, Vijay might take the drastic step of orchestrating the collective resignation of all his 108 MLAs.

Signs of an Alliance Between Two Arch-Rivals

The rising influence of the TVK has completely transformed the landscape of traditional Tamil Nadu politics. Reports suggest that the arch-rivals—the DMK and the AIADMK—are drawing closer together in an effort to prevent Vijay from ascending to the Chief Minister’s chair.

According to sources, Acting Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has informed party legislators that AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami has offered his support to form the government and, in doing so, to thwart Vijay. EPS has also sought an appointment to meet with the Governor on Friday.

Allies Target the Governor

Vijay’s allies—particularly VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan and the Left parties—have sharply criticized the Governor’s stance. Thirumavalavan alleged that the Governor is acting under pressure from the BJP-led central government in an attempt to impede Vijay’s constitutional rights.

He demanded that, as the leader of the single-largest party, the Governor must immediately invite Vijay and provide him with the opportunity to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly.

In this power struggle, the role of smaller parties has now become decisive. Stalin has held meetings with the VCK and the Left parties, which collectively account for six legislators. Thirumavalavan has confirmed that Vijay, too, has reached out to them regarding the formation of the government; however, they are currently weighing their party’s internal procedures and other political factors before arriving at a final decision.