Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections Results 2026 | Establish your majority for govt formation: Governor Arlekar tells TVK chief Vijay

Arlekar made it clear that the “requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the Government, has not been established.”

Chennai: In continuation of the stalemate in forming the next government in Tamil Nadu, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday told Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President C Joseph Vijay to establish the number required to form the government before his swearing-in as Chief Minister.  

Arlekar made it clear to Vijay on Thursday morning during their second meeting in two days that the “requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the Government, has not been established.”  

The Governor is clear that Vijay will be invited to form the government only if he demonstrates that his party, TVK, has the required strength of 117 MLAs, the simple majority in a house of 234. With 113 MLAs – TVK’s 108 and Congress’ 5 seats – Vijay is short of four seats to reach the majority mark.  

Constitutional experts said the Governor has the responsibility to see that the person who stakes claim to form government has the requisite number.

He can form an opinion that whether he enjoys the majority and appointment of the Chief Minister is entirely the discretion of the Governor, they said.  

The statement came even as parties like the CPI(M), CPI, and VCK asked the Governor not to delay the swearing-in of Vijay as the Chief Minister. They said Vijay should be invited to form the government since TVK has emerged as the single largest party. 

Meanwhile, leader of CPI, CPI(M), and VCK met DMK President M K Stalin and discussed about the invitation they have received from TVK to support the government. Vijay also spoke to VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan over the phone and sought his support.