Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Thursday declined Vijay’s request to form the government in Tamil Nadu, saying that his party had not yet proven majority support in the Legislative Assembly.
In an official statement, Lok Bhavan said the Governor met Vijay, who is the president of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in Chennai on May 7.
The statement said, “Thiru Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, has invited Thiru C. Joseph Vijay, President, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, today (7.5.2026) to Lok Bhavan, Chennai. During the meeting, the Hon’ble Governor explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the Government, has not been established."
TVK Falls Short of Majority Mark
TVK delivered a major political upset in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections by winning 108 seats. However, the party remained 10 seats short of the majority mark of 118.
Later, the Indian National Congress extended support to TVK. This took the alliance tally to 113 seats, but the coalition still lacked five more MLAs to reach the required number.
TVK also invited the Communist Party of India and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi to join the alliance, but both parties are yet to take a final decision.
Despite not having enough numbers, Vijay requested the Governor to invite him to form the government. In his letter, he reportedly assured the Governor that TVK would prove its majority during a floor test within two weeks.
Governor Questions Stability of Proposed Government
Vijay first met the Governor on Wednesday evening. During the discussion, the Governor reportedly expressed concerns over TVK’s numbers and the stability of the proposed government.
On Thursday, Vijay again appealed to the Governor to reconsider the request.
TVK argued that there have been previous cases where the single largest party received an invitation to form the government even without an outright majority.
The party also told the Governor that it remained confident of proving support on the floor of the Assembly.
However, sources said the Governor was not convinced and asked Vijay to clearly demonstrate how he would reach the 118-seat mark.
The Governor also reportedly sought letters of support from parties that TVK claimed were backing the alliance.
According to sources, the Governor questioned whether Vijay’s claim depended only on the possibility of smaller parties offering support later and raised concerns about the government’s long-term stability.
CPI Defends Vijay’s Claim
The Tamil Nadu unit of the CPI criticised the Governor’s stand and urged him to follow constitutional conventions.
The party said it was “inappropriate" to ask Vijay to prove majority support before swearing him in as Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, sources indicated that TVK could move the Madras High Court if the Governor continues to reject its claim to form the government.
TVK’s strong electoral performance has significantly changed Tamil Nadu politics. The party ended the decades-long political dominance of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which had controlled the state’s political landscape for nearly three decades.