NEW DELHI: The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief, Vijay, faced disappointment again during his second meeting with Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday. The governor reiterated that the “majority required to form the government has not been established.”
Despite a notable electoral performance, TVK has been struggling to secure a functioning government, falling short of the necessary majority by just 10 seats. Although the Congress party has pledged its support to Vijay’s party, they still require five additional seats to achieve a majority in the 234-member assembly.
A statement from the governor’s office indicated that Governor Arlekar met with Vijay on May 7, 2026, in Chennai, where he clarified that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly essential for government formation is lacking.
Vijay, who is known for his criticisms of the central government, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of “interfering in Tamil Nadu politics and creating confusion.” He argued that, as the largest party chosen by the electorate, TVK should be permitted to govern. “The guidance provided by the Constitution should be followed. Even after seeking support, the Governor has not made any decisions, which creates confusion. This is not acceptable. Furthermore, the Governor cannot demand a list of supporters for TVK,” Vijay stated.
In the recent election, TVK achieved a significant upset against the long-standing dominance of the DMK-AIADMK coalition, which has been in power for three decades. Following commitments to vacate one of the two assembly seats he won, TVK’s practical strength is expected to be 107. With the support of Congress, the coalition’s total rises to 112, just five seats shy of the majority required to govern.
