Elections – Vijay Stakes Claim to Form Tamil Nadu Government After TVK Victory
Elections – Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Vijay formally approached Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Wednesday to stake claim to form the next government in Tamil Nadu after his party emerged as the single largest force in the Assembly elections.
TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, marking a major political shift in the state’s electoral landscape. Vijay also registered victories from both Tiruchirapalli East and Perambur constituencies, strengthening his standing as a political leader beyond his film career.
Governor Receives Formal Claim From TVK
Governor Rajendra Arlekar confirmed that he had received an official communication from TVK asserting its majority support and requesting an invitation to form the government. He also stated that a meeting with Vijay had been scheduled later in the day.
The Governor indicated that the constitutional process would now move forward following the party’s formal submission. The development comes after intense political discussions in Chennai regarding possible alliance support for the debutant party.
Congress Extends Support to Vijay-Led Party
In a significant political move, Tamil Nadu Congress President K Selvaperunthagai and state in-charge Girish Chodankar met Vijay at the TVK headquarters in Chennai and handed over a formal letter of support.
After the meeting, Selvaperunthagai confirmed that the Congress high command had approved the decision to back TVK in forming the government. However, he did not provide details regarding the possible date for the swearing-in ceremony.
Congress secured five seats in the Assembly elections, taking the combined strength of the TVK-Congress alliance to 113 seats. The number remains below the majority mark of 118 required in the Assembly.
AIADMK Support Under Discussion
To secure additional numbers, TVK has reportedly reached out to AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. AIADMK won 47 seats in the elections, and any formal backing from the party could provide TVK with a stable majority in the Assembly.
Political observers believe the coming days will be crucial as discussions among parties continue regarding government formation and possible support arrangements.
Historic Electoral Debut for TVK
The Assembly election result marked a dramatic change in Tamil Nadu politics, with Vijay’s party delivering one of the strongest debut performances seen in the state in recent decades.
TVK won 108 seats, while the DMK secured 59 and AIADMK finished with 47 seats. The outcome significantly altered the long-standing dominance of the two major Dravidian parties that had shaped Tamil Nadu politics for several decades.
Vijay’s campaign attracted strong public attention throughout the election season, with the actor-turned-politician focusing on governance, youth engagement, and political change. His success has now positioned TVK as a major political force in the state.
DMK Criticises Congress Decision
The Congress decision to support TVK also triggered criticism from DMK leaders. DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai questioned the move and argued that it could affect opposition unity at the national level ahead of future elections.
He expressed concerns over Congress distancing itself from its previous alliance partner and suggested the decision could create uncertainty within broader opposition coordination efforts.
Despite the criticism, Congress leaders maintained that their support for TVK was based on current political realities in Tamil Nadu and the mandate delivered by voters in the Assembly elections.
The rapid rise of TVK has now introduced a new chapter in Tamil Nadu politics, with attention shifting toward the Governor’s next steps and the possibility of Vijay leading the state’s next government.