Tamil Nadu govt formation news HIGHLIGHTS: VCK keeps TVK on edge, Vijay unlikely to take oath today

TVK chief Vijay being welcomed by CPI(M) Tamil Nadu state secretary P Shanmugam and senior party leaders during the former's visit to the CPI(M) headquarters, in Chennai, Friday, May 8, 2026.

Tamil Nadu govt formation HIGHLIGHTS: Updates to this blog have eneded, follow here for latest news. The suspense over Tamil Nadu government confusion looms as the Governor's office has not yet sent the invite seeking Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief C Joseph Vijay to form the government as it is yet to receive the letter from one of the parties which had extended its support to TVK.

TVK chief Vijay met governor RV Arlekar on Friday evening at Lok Bhavan on Friday evening after much scrambling to secure majority mark of 118+. Track Tamil Nadu CM oath ceremony LIVE updates.

This was Vijay's third meeting in three days with the governor after his party, TVK, ended with 108 seats in the assembly polls, a number short of half-way mark by 10.

The Communist Party of India has extended ‘unconditional support’ to the TVK for government formation in Tamil Nadu.

TVK chief Vijay is likely to meet Tamil Nadu governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar today evening for the government formation in the state that has been in limbo after the results to assembly elections were announced on May 4. The TVK, despite securing highest number of seats, has been unable to stake claim for government formation as it falls short of the requisite number 118.

While the TVK that secured 108 seats, the Congress announced a tie-up with its five seats, much to the displeasure of its INDIA alliance partner DMK that has been uprooted by Vijay's party.

Protests led by TVK supporters and Congress workers erupted in Tamil Nadu on Friday as they objected to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar not inviting Vijay to form the government. Actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won over 100 seats in the elections, but fell short of around 10 to cross the majority mark. Even with Congress's support, the party can reach only 113, still short of the 118 mandate needed to form the government.

On Thursday, the Tamil Nadu governor's office said that in his second meeting with Vijay in two days, the politician was told the forming a majority was “essential” for forming the government. However, Vijay's supporters have called the decision wrong, seeking that he be allowed to prove the majority on the floor of the House. Meanwhile, there is also buzz of a possible alliance between the AIADMK and the DMK, but there's no official announcement or confirmation to this end.

According to a PTI report, the TVK held a crucial meeting of the party's MLAs-designate on Thursday during which the legislators sought to know from from party general secretary 'Bussy' N Anand when the government formation would take place. In response, they were told that to remain patient, and that “party chief Vijay was making all the efforts,” the PTI report said, quoting a source.

Here are some key developments:

Where do numbers stand? The TVK won 108 seats in the Assembly elections in a stunning show for a debutant party. Of these, two of them, Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East were won by Vijay and as per ECI mandate, he would have to give up one seat, reducing the tally to 107. With support from Congress, the total number of seats climbs to 113, but it is still short of the 118 majority mark in the 243-seat Assembly.

What did TN governor say? The Tamil Nadu governor said that TVK has so far not established majority support to form the government. "During the meeting (with Vijay), the Governor explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the Government, has not been established," a release said. Thursday's meeting was the second time in two days that Vijay was sent back without approval to form a government.

Which parties are backing TVK? So far, only Congress has publicly announced support for the TVK in forming the government. There was buzz around the AIADMK, that won 47 seats, backing Vijay's party. However, there is no confirmation to this end.

How parties reacted to governor's move: Congress, VCK and CPI have said that Vijay should be invited to form a government in Tamil Nadu, following which he can prove majority on the floor of the House. Karnataka deputy chief minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar said it was “unfair” to keep Vijay waiting.