Vijay swearing-in delayed after Tamil Nadu Governor demands proof of majority support as TVK scrambles for allies after 2026 polls.
Vijay swearing-in plans have been delayed indefinitely after a dispute over majority support and his victory from two constituencies complicated the formation of Tamil Nadu’s next government.
Thalapathy Vijay, also known as C. Joseph Vijay, founder of the Tamizhaga Vetri Kalagam party, had been preparing to take oath as Chief Minister following the 2026 Tamil Nadu state election. However, the planned ceremony has now been postponed.
TVK, launched in 2024 as an alternative to Tamil Nadu’s two major parties with an anti-corruption message aimed at the younger generation, emerged as the single largest party in the election.
The party won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. However, it has not yet secured the simple majority of 118 seats required to form a government.
Vijay contested and won from two constituencies, Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East. Under the law, he must resign from one of those seats.
Once that happens, TVK’s active seat count will temporarily fall to 107, while the total number of Assembly seats will drop to 233. This would reduce the majority requirement to 117 seats.
The DMK has won approximately 59 seats, while the AIADMK has secured around 47 seats. One of the most notable developments in the election was the defeat of DMK leader M.K. Stalin in the Kolathur constituency.
The Congress party has won 5 seats, PMK 4 seats, while VCK, CPI, CPM, and IUML have won 2 seats each. DMDK and BJP have won 1 seat each.
Although arrangements had been made for a grand swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, May 7, at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, also known as R.V. Arlekar, postponed the event indefinitely.
The Governor cited the failure to present sufficient evidence of majority support as the reason for delaying the ceremony.
On May 6, Congress leaders visited the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur and handed over letters pledging support from their five MLAs.
After that, Vijay met the Governor at Raj Bhavan and staked his claim to form the government.
Later that evening, TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna also met the Governor. However, the Governor firmly insisted that letters proving majority support must be submitted before a date could be fixed for the swearing-in.
With Congress support, TVK currently has around 112 seats. However, the party is still short by about 5 seats to reach the required majority.
IUML and AIADMK have already stated that they will not extend support. VCK, CPI, CPM, and DMDK have not yet announced a final decision.
There is also speculation that the BJP, which won one seat, may offer support. However, no confirmation has been received so far.
TVK is now holding discussions with parties from both opposing camps as it attempts to secure the numbers needed to form a stable government.
Political analysts and party supporters argue that delaying the formation of the government is unfair. They point to Supreme Court precedents that allow the single largest party an opportunity to prove its majority on the floor of the House.
The situation has created tension inside the TVK camp, replacing the earlier mood of celebration at the party headquarters.
With alliance talks still underway, it is expected that a few more days may pass before stable political arrangements are finalized.
