In a related development, the Lok Bhavan said Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar invited Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay and “explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the government, has not been established”.
Opinion | Seeking a new paradigm for Dravidian exceptionalism
While Vijay and senior party leaders reached out to the DMK’s allies — the Communist Party of India, the CPI(M) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which have two seats each — DMK president M.K. Stalin too is learnt to have broached with these three parties the idea of backing an AIADMK-led government. Now clearly, the three parties hold the key to any further churn in Tamil Nadu politics.
Currently, the TVK with the support of the five elected candidates of the Congress, effectively has 112 seats in the 234-member House after accounting for the legal mandate for Vijay to resign from one of his two seats.
Watch | Vijay won, but why can’t he become Chief Minister yet?
Mr. Stalin, the outgoing Chief Minister who had initially rejected the proposal to back the AIADMK, reportedly yielded to pressure from second-line party leaders and invited CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam, CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian, and VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan to his house for discussions. The DMK would not join the government, but the allies are free to take a decision on joining the government, he reportedly told them.
Follow the live updates below:
Watch: Vijay won, but why can’t he become Chief Minister yet?
Watch: Vijay won, but why can’t he become Chief Minister yet?
For the first time since 1952, Tamil Nadu has delivered a fractured mandate in an Assembly election? The man behind this turn of events is cinema superstar Vijay, who not only entered politics but also stunned the two Dravidian rivals, the DMK and AIADMK. But Vijay;s TVK managed only 108 seats on its own, short of the majority mark of 118. Vijay will need the support of smaller parties for form the government and with the Congress in the mix, it poses a very interesting situation. So, what are the scenarios? What role does the Governor play?
May 08, 2026 07:56
Governor’s remit is to invite Vijay and ask for floor test: former Law Minister Ashwani Kumar
The correct course of action for the Tamil Nadu Governor would be to invite C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the government and prove his majority on the floor of the State Assembly, former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar said on Thursday (May 7, 2026).
Reacting to the evolving political situation in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Kumar said constitutional conventions and judicial precedents make it clear that when a party stakes claim, the appropriate constitutional process is to allow it an opportunity to demonstrate majority support through a floor test in the Assembly.
Read the full story below
Governor’s remit is to invite TVK chief Vijay and ask for a floor test: former Law Minister Ashwani Kumar
Former Law Minister Ashwani Kumar urges Tamil Nadu Governor to invite Vijay for a floor test to honor the popular mandate.
May 08, 2026 07:55
Opinion | Ballots outside, bargains inside
The oligarchic functioning of traditional political parties has alienated politically conscious youth, first-time voters, and unheard sections of society, pushing many towards new political alternatives such as Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
Read the full article below
Ballots outside, bargains inside
The rise of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam signals a shift in Tamil Nadu politics, driven by youth disillusionment with traditional party structures.
May 08, 2026 07:54
Opinion | Seeking a new paradigm for Dravidian exceptionalism
At the heart of Vijay’s emphatic win, lies a disenchantment with the smug complacence of rule by both the DMK and, for a decade until 2021, the AIADMK.
Seeking a new paradigm for Dravidian exceptionalism
At the heart of Vijay’s emphatic win, lies a disenchantment with the smug complacence of rule by both the DMK and, for a decade until 2021, the AIADMK
May 08, 2026 07:49
CPI, CPI(M), VCK hold the key to any further churn in Tamil Nadu politics
While TVK chief Vijay and senior party leaders reached out to the DMK’s allies — the Communist Party of India, the CPI(M) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which have two seats each — DMK president M.K. Stalin is also learnt to have broached with these three parties the idea of backing an AIADMK-led government. Now clearly, the three parties hold the key to any further churn in Tamil Nadu politics.
Currently, the TVK with the support of the five elected candidates of the Congress, effectively has 112 seats in the 234-member House after accounting for the legal mandate for Vijay to resign from one of his two seats.
Mr. Stalin, the outgoing Chief Minister, invited CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam, CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian, and VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan to his house for discussions. The DMK would not join the government, but the allies are free to take a decision on joining the government, he reportedly told them.
While the two Communist parties sought time, stating their State committee meetings scheduled for Friday would take a final decision, Mr. Thirumavalavan indicated that he would follow the Communists’ stand.
Published - May 08, 2026 07:47 am IST
