Tamil Nadu politics doesn’t do things quietly, and the events unfolding around the 2026 Assembly election results are proving that point. Actor-turned-politician Vijay, whose party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single-largest group after the election, is caught in a tense waiting game over whether he’ll be invited to take oath as Chief Minister — and when.
The situation has gripped the state. Supporters were gathering in Chennai expecting a swearing-in announcement, only to find that nothing had been confirmed by the Governor’s office. The uncertainty is palpable, and every few hours seems to bring a new development.
How Many Seats Does TVK Have?
TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. To form a government, a party needs 118 — a simple majority. With backing from Congress, CPI, and CPI(M), Vijay’s bloc reportedly reached 117 MLAs in total. That’s one seat short of the number needed, which is exactly why the situation remains unresolved.
Current Numbers in Tamil Nadu Assembly
| Party/Alliance | Seats |
|---|---|
| TVK | 108 |
| Congress Support | 5 |
| CPI | 2 |
| CPI(M) | 2 |
| Total Support for TVK | 117 |
| Majority Mark | 118 |
VCK Emerges as Key Player
With TVK sitting one seat short, all eyes have turned to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi. The VCK holds two MLAs and has suddenly found itself at the center of everything. Its support alone would push Vijay’s numbers comfortably past the majority mark.
Reports indicate that Vijay is expected to meet VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan for talks in Chennai. The party, for its part, has said it will make its position known after internal discussions — which means the wait continues for now.
Governor Yet to Invite Vijay
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has not yet extended a formal invitation to Vijay to form the government. The Governor’s office has reportedly indicated that it needs clear evidence of majority support before the oath ceremony can proceed.
That stance has stirred debate. Opposition voices have argued that the single-largest party should automatically get the first opportunity to demonstrate its majority on the Assembly floor, rather than being asked to prove it before even being invited.
Support and Opposition Around TVK
Congress and the Left parties have openly declared their backing for Vijay’s government bid, which is what got TVK to 117. But not everyone has been as welcoming. Both the Indian Union Muslim League and the Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazhagam have reportedly declined to extend support.
AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran went further, publicly accusing TVK of political horse-trading and raising questions about the authenticity of support letters submitted to the Governor. The allegations have added another layer of noise to an already complicated situation.
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Why the Oath Ceremony Was Delayed
Preparations for a swearing-in ceremony had reportedly begun at Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai — which says something about how confident TVK initially was. But the event didn’t happen. Reports emerged that TVK had submitted signatures from only 116 MLAs to the Governor, not the 118 needed, and that created immediate confusion about whether the numbers were actually there.
Hundreds of TVK supporters who had gathered in anticipation returned home disappointed. It was a significant moment that summed up just how uncertain this situation has become.
Political Reactions Continue Across Tamil Nadu
DMK leaders have been vocal in their criticism, alleging that the government formation process has been marked by political maneuvering of a kind rarely seen in Tamil Nadu before.
TVK supporters, meanwhile, remain in confident mood. Party offices in Chennai have seen large crowds showing up to back Vijay, with supporters maintaining that their leader will eventually take oath as Chief Minister.
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Supreme Court Plea Filed Over Government Formation
The political standoff has now reached the courts. A TVK functionary filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Governor to invite Vijay to form the government, arguing that as the leader of the single-largest party, he should be given the chance to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly.
The legal move has added yet another dimension to what is already a multi-layered political standoff. Observers say the next few hours and days could prove decisive.
Tamil Nadu Politics Enters a New Era
Whatever the final outcome, the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election has already changed things. TVK’s rise under Vijay has disrupted the established order that DMK and AIADMK have maintained for decades. A new force has arrived in Tamil Nadu politics, and regardless of how the government formation plays out, that shift is real and lasting.
For now, the state waits — watching alliance talks, counting numbers, and wondering when the uncertainty will finally give way to a clear answer.