Tamil Nadu govt formation highlights: TVK's Vijay set for historic oath ceremony today, Rahul Gandhi to attend

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami held a meeting with party MLAs at his house in Chennai. This comes amid sustained suspense over government formation in Tamil Nadu as Vijay-led TVK has not been able to prove majority to form the government.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: As suspens eover governmnet formation in Tamil Nadu looms, there has now been a return of “resort politics” that was last seen in Tamil Nadu after the demise of AIADMK matriarch and chief minister JJayalalithaa in 2016. The five Congress MLAs are said to be in Hyderabad and TVK legsislators in a resort/hotel in Mamallapuram, PTI reported. While the AIADMK MLAs have returned to Chennai from Puducherry, its chief Edappadi K Palaniswami has greeted the "party that is set to form the government."

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: An ex-IPS officer on Saturday moved the Supreme Court challenging governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s refusal to invite TVK chief Vijay to form the government despite his party emerging with the highest number of seats.

The petition was filed by IPS M Ramasubramani (retd), who served as Additional Director General of Police and Inspector General of Police, a PTI report said.

The plea argued that the governor’s decision amounts to an unconstitutional determination of majority outside the Assembly. It further contended that the governor cannot deny TVK an opportunity to prove its majority through a floor test.

Another plea, filed by TVK member Ezhilarasi K, also challenged the governor’s action, arguing that the refusal to invite Vijay violated Articles 12 and 32 of the Constitution.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby on Saturday commented sharply on the ongoing political developments in Tamil Nadu amid uncertainty over government formation.

“TVK, which was given the mandate by the people, but remains 11 short of majority. If they are not being given the opportunity to form govt then it is clear sabotage of the democratic and electoral process initiated from Delhi or Nagpur, I don't know. So far, Tamil Nadu has resisted fascistic RSS, and this has to continue. We wish and hope Vijay will also take a fair position on this, and we believe him on this. There was a move to have a govt led by AIADMK which is being rejected by the people," he said, ANI reported.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: VCK general secretary Dr D Ravikumar on Saturday rejected reports claiming that the party was seeking various positions and making demands.

In an appeal, Ravikumar said such reports were “entirely contrary to the truth” and urged the media not to give credence to them.

The VCK leader further described the reports as an attempt to “malign” the party.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby on Saturday kept the party’s position open on whether the Left would join any potential TVK-led government in Tamil Nadu.

In a conversation with HT, Baby said, “Let the TVK government be formed. Other things come later. No decision on it now.”

Currently, the CPI and CPI (M) have extended support to Vijay's party.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby on Friday claimed that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) had sought the support of Left parties for an AIADMK-led government from outside.

“The DMK wanted us to support the AIADMK government. But it would have been an opportunistic alliance,” Baby told HT.

He further said that the DMK’s plan involved the AIADMK approaching the governor to stake claim to form the government.

However, Baby added that the Left parties chose a different political course and decided to back actor-turned-politician Vijay instead.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby on Saturday commented on the ongoing Tamil Nadu government formation discussions, signalling cautious support for actor-politician Vijay’s position.

“For now, we believe in Vijay; he has assured to stand against communal forces; the mandate of theTamil Nadu people must be followed,” PTI quoted Baby as talking to reporters.

VCK MLA-elect Vanniarasu on Saturday said the party’s stand is to ensure “people’s rule” and oppose any move towards Governor’s rule. He further adde that the party would fully abide by whatever decision is taken by VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan.

“The decision taken by our leader is the party’s stand. The people have given the right opportunity for a share in governance and authority,” he said, ANI reported.

“We do not accept the Governor’s rule. We want the people’s rule to continue and be established. The Governor’s actions are against the Constitution,” he said.

With VCK’s two MLAs seen as potentially crucial in the ongoing numbers game, the party’s final decision is being closely watched.

HT has learnt that the VCK will announce the final decision formally by 4pm today.

VCK to make formal announcement by 4pm this evening, the party office representatives have said.

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge alleged that Tamil Nadu governor is “aking directions from the government of India”.
“There is no confusion. The single largest party has given a letter saying we have the numbers, please allow us to conduct the house. The Governor is not allowing that. The strength of the numbers has to be proved on the assembly floor, not in the Governor's house. It seems very clear that the Governor is taking directions from the government of India,” Kharge said.

CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby has said that the verdict in Tamil Nadu was clear.
"Our MLAs are supporting formation of govt by TVK. Now, VCK was also supposed to send a letter of support, which has not gone out yet," he said

"The verdict is clear - they voted out the incumbent government, didn't give approval to the opposition, and almost elected a new party. Through SC verdicts, the practice has been clear: - invite either the single largest party or a post-poll alliance can also be invited. Tamil Nadu governor is ignoring the time tested democractic practice. The governor wanted to know how Vijay would prove a majority. With all humility, I would like to say that that is none of the business of the Governor. Lok Bhavan is not where the majority of a party is tested; it is on the floor of the house. We will write to the Governor to invite the single largest party to form the government. Our MLAs are supporting the formation of the government by TVK. Now, VCK was also supposed to send a letter of support, which has not gone out yet," MA Baby added.

With uncertainty continuing over government formation in Tamil Nadu, five Congress MLAs from the state were camping in Hyderabad on Saturday in an apparent move by the party to prevent any poaching attempts.

Congress MLA P Viswanathan from Melur, who was formerly the AICC in-charge of party affairs in Telangana, was leading the group of five MLAs during their stay in Hyderabad, PTI reported quoting party sources.

The Congress has already declared its support for TVK, and Viswanathan is likely to become a minister if a TVK government is formed, the report added.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: The focus of the high-stakes government formation battle in Tamil Nadu has now firmly shifted to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), which holds just two MLAs but could end up deciding who forms the next government.

The stakes are particularly high as the TVK is currently at 117 MLAs — just one short of the 118-seat majority mark in the TN Assembly.

This has placed VCK’s two legislators in a crucial position, with their support potentially pushing the Vijay-led bloc past the halfway mark.

Adding to the suspense, VCK leader Vanni Arasu made a cryptic social media post suggesting the party would emerge as a “central force”, further fuelling speculation about its next move in the power equation.

Meanwhile, Vijay is expected to meet VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan at the party office in Chennai as discussions intensify over possible support, reported news agency ANI.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: DMK MP P Wilson on Saturday said that Tamil Nadu had not witnessed such levels of “horse trading” attempts in many years, even before a new government has taken charge.

In a post on X, Wilson said the current political situation reflects an unprecedented trend in the state’s politics.

“I now understand what they meant when they said they are bringing ‘change’ to TN politics - Tamil Nadu hasn't seen horse trading attempts like this in many years! All this even before taking charge!” he wrote.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: After a three-day stay at a private resort in Puducherry, MLAs of the AIADMK reportedly returned to Chennai on Saturday and met party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) at his residence.

Over 30 AIADMK legislators were earlier shifted to the resort in the neighbouring Union Territory amid reports that it was a precautionary move to prevent alleged cross-voting or defections, as the TVK continues efforts to gather numbers after emerging as the single-largest party in the April 23 Assembly election in Tamil Nadu.

Senior leaders including C Vijayabaskar, K P Anbalagan and B Valarmathi were among those who arrived at EPS’s residence for the meeting.

Palaniswami is expected to chair a key legislators’ meeting to discuss the party’s next course of action amid the continuing uncertainty over government formation in the state, reported PTI citing party sources.

The meeting is also likely to take up allegations made by ally Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam, which has accused TVK of using a “forged” support letter to stake claim for forming the government.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: Amid the ongoing government formation uncertainty in Tamil Nadu, senior advocate and former Attorney General of India Mukul Rohatgi has said that Vijay should have been invited by the Governor to form the government on day one as the leader of the single-largest party.

“Even if he was ten short of the magic number, it did not matter,” Rohatgi said while talking to news agency ANI.

“It is settled law, through constitutional conventions, that the leader of the largest party is called. He is allowed to gather support and form a stable government within one or two weeks. That is the practice, and it has always been done in the past,” he said.

Rohatgi further noted that while such invitations are extended in practice, the final test is always proving majority on the floor of the Assembly.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: Fresh political drama unfolded in the state after AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran alleged that his party’s lone MLA-elect had “gone missing” and accused the TVK of attempting horse-trading.

Speaking outside Lok Bhavan on Friday night, Dhinakaran said he had written to Governor Rajendra Arlekar urging him to invite Edappadi K Palaniswami to form the government.

He also claimed that his party’s MLA-designate S Kamaraj was unreachable, reported PTI.

“I suspect that the TVK, in a desperate bid to form the government, as it lacked the majority might have indulged in horse-trading,” Dhinakaran alleged.

However, TVK strongly denied the allegations. The party also released a video purportedly showing Kamaraj signing a support letter.

Hours later, Kamaraj appeared before reporters and said he had been staying at a resort in Puducherry along with newly elected AIADMK MLAs.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: A large crowd gathered outside the office of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi on Saturday as C Joseph Vijay is expected to meet VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan amid the ongoing government formation talks in Tamil Nadu.

Video shared by news agency PTI showed, party supporters present outside VCK headquarters in Chennai.

With TVK currently just one seat short of the majority mark, VCK’s stand is seen as potentially decisive in the race.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: VCK leader Vanni Arasu on Saturday indicated that the party would play a crucial role in the ongoing government formation process in Tamil Nadu.

In a post on X, the VCK deputy general secretary said, “even if one tries to marginalise or alienate us, we will emerge as a central force”.

His cryptic remarks came ahead of the expected meeting between C Joseph Vijay and VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, where TVK is likely to seek the party’s support to form the next government.

With TVK currently sitting at 117 MLAs – just one short of the 118 needed for a majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly – the VCK has emerged as a crucial player. The party’s two MLAs could help push the Vijay-led bloc past the halfway mark.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: CPI leader D Raja on Saturday said there was a visible split within the INDIA bloc not just in Tamil Nadu but across several states.

“There is split in INDIA alliance, not only in Tamil Nadu but other states as well; Congress should introspect and see what's wrong,” Raja said, reported news agency PTI.

The remarks come amid political churn in Tamil Nadu after the Congress decided to support the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) following the 2026 Assembly election results.

The move marked a major shift for the Congress, which had been a long-time ally of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the state.

Congress won five seats in the election and later extended support to the Vijay-led TVK as part of the ongoing government formation process.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: C Joseph Vijay and the TVK are currently at 117 MLAs in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly — just one short of the majority mark needed to form the government.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: Senior leaders of the AIADMK arrived at the residence of party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) in Chennai on Saturday amid the fast-moving government formation developments in Tamil Nadu.

Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed leaders entering the residence.

The meeting comes as political parties continue intense discussions and strategy planning over possible alliances and support arrangements, with no clear government formation yet in the 234-member Assembly.

Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE: TKS Elangovan on Saturday said Governor Rajendra Arlekar may be waiting for clearer proof of majority before inviting C Joseph Vijay to form the government in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking on the ongoing power tussle in the state, Elangovan said TVK might have been invited earlier if it had approached the Governor solely as the single-largest party.

“Had they gone to the Governor alone, he would have invited them to form the government as the single-largest party and then prove the strength in the House,” PTI quoted Elangovan as saying.

However, he argued that once TVK began presenting support from smaller parties without reaching the majority mark, the Governor would naturally wait for stronger numbers.

“Now when he has got support of a few parties, the government will obviously wait for an absolute majority,” he added.

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar on Saturday dismissed speculation that Congress MLAs from Tamil Nadu had been shifted to resorts in Bengaluru or Hyderabad amid the ongoing government formation drama in the state.

Responding to reports that legislators were being moved to Bengaluru’s Eagleton Resort, Shivakumar said, “It is all false. No MLAs have come to Eagleton Resort; that is completely untrue,” ANI reported.

“They are saying they have gone to Hyderabad—that is also false. I am not aware of it,” he said.

“If the party high command says anything, then it is okay. The party high command has not spoken to me. If they speak, it is a different issue,” he added.