Political uncertainty intensified in Tamil Nadu after Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar reportedly asked actor-politician Vijay to demonstrate the support of 118 MLAs before being invited to take oath as Chief Minister.
Vijay, whose Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections, met the Governor for the second consecutive day at Raj Bhavan on Thursday. Sources said the Governor emphasized the need for a “stable government” and made it clear that TVK would need to present majority support before formally staking claim to power.
In the 234-member Assembly, TVK secured 108 seats. However, Vijay won from two constituencies and is expected to vacate one seat, reducing the party’s effective strength to 107. Even if the Assembly strength falls to 233 after the resignation, the majority mark would remain 118, leaving TVK short by 11 MLAs.
Congress has reportedly extended support through its five legislators, taking TVK’s tally to 112. The party still requires additional backing to cross the majority threshold.
Meanwhile, political activity has accelerated across rival camps. AIADMK has reportedly shifted 28 of its MLAs to a resort in Puducherry amid speculation over possible poaching attempts and alliance negotiations. Resort politics has often been used in Indian state politics during periods of unstable government formation.
Adding further intrigue, media reports have suggested that long-time rivals DMK and AIADMK are engaged in informal discussions regarding a possible post-election arrangement. According to reports citing political sources, one proposal being discussed involves AIADMK forming the government with outside support from DMK and smaller parties.
No official statement has been issued by either DMK or AIADMK confirming the reported talks. However, the speculation has added a fresh layer of uncertainty to an already tense political situation.
The developments mark a crucial test for Vijay’s political debut, as the actor-turned-politician attempts to convert his electoral success into government formation. With negotiations intensifying and rival camps actively strategizing, Tamil Nadu’s political landscape remains highly fluid.