Vijay’s TVK Claims Power in a move that has sent shockwaves through the Indian political landscape, C. Joseph Vijay, the chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), officially met with Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar today at Raj Bhavan to stake his claim to form the next government. This development marks a historic “tectonic shift” in a state that has been dominated by the Dravidian titans—DMK and AIADMK—for over five decades.
The Numbers Game: The Road to 118
The Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026 has produced a fractured mandate, yet one that clearly favors the debutant superstar. TVK emerged as the single-largest party, but the road to the magic number of 118 remains a high-stakes calculation.
Currently, TVK is just 10 seats short of a majority. The final tally stands as follows:
TVK: 108 seats
DMK: 59 seats
AIADMK: 47 seats
Congress: 5 seats
PMK: 4 seats
VCK: 2 seats
Others (CPI, CPM, IUML, BJP, etc.): 9 seats
The fall of the DMK was symbolized by the shocking defeat of MK Stalin in his stronghold of Kolathur, where he lost to TVK’s VS Babu. Stalin has since tendered his resignation, clearing the path for the “Thalapathy” of Tamil cinema to become the Chief Minister of the state.
Vijay’s TVK Claims Power :The “Secular” Alliance Congress and VCK’s Role
The Indian National Congress has officially pledged its support to TVK. Girish Chodankar, the AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu, confirmed that their five elected representatives would back Vijay’s government. However, this support comes with a “conditional” tag: the TVK must ensure that no “communal forces” are part of the alliance.
“Our support is founded on mutual respect and an appropriate share in the state government. We would rather support a secular government than see the BJP gain a foothold in the south,” Chodankar stated.
Meanwhile, the VCK (Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi), with its 2 seats, is currently in a “wait and watch” mode, holding internal deliberations. If Vijay secures the VCK and a few independents, he will comfortably cross the 118 mark.
National Context: Violence in Bengal and Resignations in Assam
While Tamil Nadu celebrates a peaceful transition of power, other parts of India remain volatile.
West Bengal: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has ordered immediate arrests following post-poll violence. Reports of party offices being set ablaze and the vandalism of a Lenin statue in Murshidabad have marred the democratic process.
Assam: In a contrasting display of stability, Himanta Biswa Sarma resigned today alongside his cabinet, only to pave the way for a fresh BJP-led government following their victory. The new oath-taking ceremony is expected after May 11, 2026.
What’s Next for Tamil Nadu?
Governor Arlekar is expected to invite Vijay to prove his majority on the floor of the house within a specified timeframe. For the people of Tamil Nadu, the arrival of TVK represents a leap into the unknown—away from the traditional Dravidian rhetoric and toward a new brand of “people-centric” governance promised by Vijay.
As the state prepares for its first non-DMK/AIADMK Chief Minister in generations, all eyes are on how the actor-turned-politician will balance the demands of his allies while fulfilling the massive expectations of the youth who propelled him to power.