Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 | 'I am waiting': TVK still short of 2 seats as VCK keeps Vijay guessing

Still short of two MLAs to reach the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, TVK chief Vijay on Friday, May 8, moved closer to forming the government after securing the support of the Left parties and indications emerging that the VCK and IUML could also back him.

TVK had won 108 seats in the April 23 Assembly elections, including two constituencies contested by Vijay — Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East. Since he will have to vacate one seat as per Election Commission norms, TVK’s effective strength comes down to 107. With Congress extending support of its five MLAs and the CPI and CPI(M) pledging support with two MLAs each, Vijay’s tally now stands at 116 — still two short of the 118 needed for a simple majority.

The VCK, which has two MLAs, is widely expected to announce support to TVK on Saturday, potentially taking Vijay past the halfway mark and paving the way for government formation. Vijay is expected to be sworn in on Saturday.

Hours after the Left parties pledged unconditional support, Vijay reached the office of the Governor in Guindy over government formation and TVK supporters broke into celebrations across the state anticipating his swearing-in.

Though the VCK did not make an official announcement immediately, party chief Thol Thirumavalavan has repeatedly indicated that his party’s stand would align with the Left parties.

CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML had contested the 2026 polls as part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA).

VCK leader Vanniarasu, a close aide of Thirumavalavan, hinted that the party was keen on a share in power, which TVK is believed to be open to offering.

According to senior CPI(M) leader K Balakrishnan, besides the two Left parties, the VCK and IUML “have also given letters,” indicating support to TVK, which initially fell 10 seats short of the majority mark.

Welcoming outgoing Chief Minister M K Stalin’s appeal urging Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to ensure government formation in line with constitutional norms, IUML said its two MLAs would support “initiatives by the Governor towards government formation,” a statement widely interpreted as indirect support to TVK.

Vijay, who has already staked claim to form the government, had a brief meeting with the Governor during their third interaction in three days, sources said.

The Left parties asserted that while they would support TVK to form the government, they would continue their political alignment with the DMK on issues concerning state rights and federalism.

CPI State Secretary M Veerapandian said “people have proposed democracy and we have seconded it,” while CPI(M) State Secretary P Shanmugam said the decision was aimed at preventing the BJP’s “backdoor entry” into Tamil Nadu.

Both parties also clarified that they would extend only outside support and would not join the TVK cabinet.

Meanwhile, the Congress staged a protest against the Governor for not immediately inviting Vijay to form the government. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai, AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Girish Chodankar, and party workers participated in the agitation.