Chennai: Actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay on Saturday formally staked claim to form the next government in Tamil Nadu after his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), secured the support of 120 MLAs in the newly elected Assembly.
Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan in Chennai and submitted his claim to form the government. He is expected to take oath as the Chief Minister on Sunday.
TVK had emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Assembly elections with 108 seats in the 234-member House, falling short of the majority mark of 118. However, support from the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) helped the party comfortably cross the halfway mark.
#TamilNadu: C Joseph Vijay-led #TVK claims that his party has secured the support of 120 MLAs to form a new Government in the State.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) which emerged as the single largest party after winning 108 seats in the recent assembly polls, required the… pic.twitter.com/PCu0xLJFBk
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) May 9, 2026
TVK leader Adhav Arjuna said both VCK and IUML had extended unconditional support to the Vijay-led party. Congress contributed five MLAs, while CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML brought two legislators each to the alliance tally.
Vijay, who won from both Perambur and Tiruchy East constituencies, will have to vacate one seat, reducing TVK’s effective strength to 107. Even after the reduction, the alliance remains above the majority figure.
The political developments triggered sharp reactions across the state. T. T. V. Dhinakaran demanded action from the Governor over an alleged forged support letter involving an MLA from his party.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) national general secretary M. A. Baby accused the Governor of delaying the invitation process under pressure from Delhi and alleged attempts were being made to help the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) form the government.
The election results marked a major political shift in Tamil Nadu. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) secured 59 seats, while AIADMK won 47 seats, as Vijay’s TVK emerged as the biggest force in the Assembly.
