In a dramatic development which could reshape the state’s politics, the Tamil Nadu unit of the Congress party has passed a resolution to conditionally support actor-turned-politician Vijay’s TVK, which has emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly.
The development comes as TVK fell 10 seats short of a simple majority (118 seats), making coalition support essential for government formation.
The Political Landscape
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| TVK Seats | 108 (single-largest party) |
| Congress Seats | 5 |
| Halfway Mark | 118 seats |
| Historic Significance | First time in nearly six decades that Dravidian duopoly (DMK/AIADMK) has been broken |
In a historic upset, the TVK on Monday defeated the DMK and pushed the AIADMK to third place, marking the first time in nearly six decades that Tamil Nadu’s entrenched Dravidian duopoly has been decisively broken.
Congress’s Conditions
Sources told India Today that Congress is likely to ask for:
- Two Cabinet berths
- A few chairmanships of government boards
A formal letter of support from the Congress is expected to be released on Wednesday, sources added.
Next Steps
| Event | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| Formal letter of support | May 6, 2026 |
| Congress MLAs meet Vijay | Soon after (at Panaiyur) |
| Vijay’s oath as CM | Likely May 7, 2026 |
| Cabinet swearing-in | 9 ministers likely with Vijay |
Following the Congress support, Congress MLAs are likely to meet Vijay at Panaiyur, where TVK’s political operations are currently centred. The meeting is expected to finalise the contours of the alliance and pave the way for the next steps in government formation.
Sources told India Today that Vijay is likely to take oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on May 7, with nine Cabinet ministers likely to be sworn in along with him.
Other Potential Allies
TVK is also exploring talks with:
- Left parties
- VCK
- CPI(M)
- CPI
- IUML
Invitations to these parties are expected to be sent soon. If the Congress and other smaller parties decide to align with the TVK, Vijay’s party would comfortably cross the majority mark required to form the government.
Reactions
While the DMK has expressed confidence that the VCK and Left parties will not break away to join a Vijay-led coalition, it did not make a clear comment on the Congress’s position.
With the Congress more or less onboard, all eyes will now be on Vijay’s next moves to stitch a stable coalition to govern the state.
