What’s Next for Vijay's TVK After Gaining Support from Left Parties in Tamil Nadu?

In a pivotal moment for Tamil Nadu's political scene, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has garnered support from the CPI and CPI (M), bringing it closer to the majority needed to form a government. With 108 seats already won, Vijay is set to meet the Governor to assert his claim. The VCK is also expected to announce its decision soon, potentially aligning with the Left parties. As political dynamics shift, the outcome of these developments could reshape the state's governance. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 8, 2026, 18:02 IST

TVK Gains Momentum in Tamil Nadu Government Formation

Chennai: In a significant development for the Tamil Nadu political landscape, the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has secured the backing of two Left parties, enhancing its chances of forming a government. This support brings TVK closer to the crucial 118 seats needed for a simple majority.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) each hold two seats and have pledged their support to TVK following extensive discussions. With this backing, Vijay is expected to meet Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar later today to assert his claim to govern.

Having won 108 seats in the recent Assembly elections held on April 23, TVK is now just 10 seats shy of a majority. The party has reached out to CPI, CPI (M), and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), all of whom are allies of the DMK, to garner support. Each of these parties has two MLAs in the 234-member Assembly.

Initially, the CPI informed the Governor of their decision to support TVK, with CPI (M) following suit shortly thereafter, thus moving Vijay closer to the majority threshold. Both parties have sent letters to the Governor confirming their support.

In the April elections, TVK emerged as the largest party with 108 seats. However, Vijay must resign from one of the two constituencies he won, as per Election Commission regulations. The Congress party has also extended its support, contributing five MLAs to Vijay's coalition. With these calculations, TVK's strength now stands at 116, factoring in Vijay's necessary resignation from one of his contested seats—either Perambur in Chennai or Tiruchirappalli East.

To officially form the government, Vijay now requires the support of two additional MLAs, and VCK is anticipated to announce its decision soon, with indications suggesting they may align with the Left parties.

Vijay is scheduled to meet Governor Arlekar this evening regarding the government formation, marking his third meeting with the Governor in as many days to discuss his claim.

A source from TVK indicated that during this meeting, Vijay will likely reaffirm his intention to form the government.

The VCK plans to hold an online meeting later today to deliberate on the situation, although it was initially expected to take place in the morning.

VCK founder Thol Thirumavalavan mentioned that the party's high-level committee will convene via video conference to address the ongoing political crisis in Tamil Nadu and determine their next steps regarding government formation.

"The results were declared only on May 4, and today is May 8. This is not a delay. In a democratic framework, it is my duty to consult with key leaders and consider their views before making significant decisions," Thirumavalavan stated to the press.

When questioned about the possibility of VCK supporting an AIADMK-led initiative, Thirumavalavan refrained from providing a direct answer, labeling such scenarios as hypothetical.

"It would be inappropriate for me to share a personal opinion without first understanding my comrades' perspectives. We will discuss the current political situation in our 5 PM meeting today. I will formally address the media tomorrow morning to announce our official position," he added.

CPI, CPI (M), and VCK are part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA).

In response to inquiries about his recent meeting with DMK president and outgoing Chief Minister M K Stalin, Thirumavalavan confirmed that VCK remains a part of the SPA, describing the meeting as a courtesy call among alliance partners.

When pressed further on whether VCK would support an alternative coalition if offered a share in power—a longstanding demand of the party—Thirumavalavan reiterated his reluctance to engage in speculation.

Meanwhile, Sinthanai Selvan, VCK General Secretary, raised concerns about whether Vijay has effectively managed the "extraordinary situation" following the Assembly election results and questioned if second-tier leaders were misleading him.

Selvan emphasized that TVK should have approached the situation with caution, given that it did not secure a majority independently, and suggested that Vijay should have consulted leaders of parties from whom he sought support.

"Shouldn't Vijay have openly discussed the need to prevent the BJP from gaining a foothold in Tamil Nadu through the Governor and ensured he was not influenced by second-tier leaders?" he questioned.

He noted that a letter seeking support was sent via WhatsApp, and a response was awaited, prompting him to wonder how Vijay's approach to securing support should be interpreted.

Referring to historical figures like Motilal Nehru and Jawaharlal Nehru, Selvan criticized the Congress party for its dynastic politics, questioning how TVK could oppose such politics while aligning with Congress.

In a related development, the Congress party staged a protest against the Governor for not inviting TVK chief Vijay to form the government. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai, along with AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Girish Chodankar and party workers, participated in the demonstration.