Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay is set to become the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. However, the official swearing-in ceremony remains uncertain as Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is still awaiting a formal letter of support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) , according to sources at Lok Bhavan.
In another major twist, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) — which had earlier extended unconditional support to TVK — has now denied backing Vijay’s party and said it will remain with the DMK.
What Signatures Did Vijay Submit to the Governor?
According to sources, Vijay met the Governor on Friday evening (May 8, 2026) and submitted signatures of support from 116 MLAs. He reportedly informed the Governor that a formal letter from VCK (which has 2 MLAs) would follow shortly.
However, for the past two hours, TVK has been trying to reach out to VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, who remains untraceable, sources said.
Lok Bhavan sources confirmed that the Governor’s office is expected to announce the oath-taking ceremony only after receiving VCK’s support letter.
The Numbers Game: How Close Is TVK to Majority?
| Party | MLAs | Support Status |
|---|---|---|
| TVK | 107 | Confirmed |
| Congress | 5 | Confirmed |
| CPI | 2 | Confirmed (unconditional letter) |
| CPI(M) | 2 | Confirmed |
| VCK | 2 | Pending (leader untraceable) |
| Total submitted | 116 | 2 short of majority |
| Majority mark | 118 | (Out of 234 seats) |
TVK needs 118 MLAs to form government. Without VCK’s 2 MLAs, the party remains two seats short.
Why Is VCK Not Responding?
Sources indicate last-minute negotiations have hit a roadblock:
- VCK’s demand: Deputy Chief Minister post for Thol Thirumavalavan.
- TVK’s offer: Urban Affairs portfolio instead.
Talks are ongoing, but with VCK chief untraceable, the impasse continues.
IUML’s Reversal: A Big Blow to TVK
Earlier, IUML had reportedly extended unconditional support to TVK. However, on May 8, the party denied all reports and confirmed it will remain with the DMK.
This reversal has further complicated TVK’s path to government formation.
Background: Vijay’s Third Visit to Governor in Three Days
This was Vijay’s third visit to the Governor in three days. On Wednesday and Thursday, Governor Arlekar had refused to invite Vijay to form the government, citing lack of majority. Those decisions triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties, who accused the Centre of attempting to delay government formation.
How Did TVK Get This Close?
Vijay led TVK to a stunning debut performance in the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls (results announced May 4, 2026), winning 108 seats – just short of the 118 majority mark.
The hung verdict triggered hectic post-poll negotiations:
- Congress (5 MLAs) extended support to TVK.
- CPI and CPI(M) (2 MLAs each) also backed Vijay, with CPI(M) submitting an unconditional letter of support.
- This support came after intense backchannel negotiations, including outreach by Congress leader Kharge to VCK and IUML.
The Congress move sparked a major fallout with DMK, with senior DMK leaders declaring that the INDIA bloc has effectively collapsed following post-poll developments.
Vijay himself won from Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East seats and is expected to vacate one of these constituencies per Election Commission rules.
What Happens Next?
Two scenarios are currently unfolding:
- VCK agrees and sends support letter → Governor announces oath date (likely within 24 hours).
- VCK continues to delay or demands more → TVK may explore other options or face further delay.
Lok Bhavan sources said the Governor’s office is expected to make an announcement once VCK’s letter is received.
