Tamil Nadu political crisis: Governor sends Vijay back again, asks him to return with 118 signatures

May 7, 2026

The suspense surrounding government formation in Tamil Nadu continues to persist. TVK chief Vijay visited the Raj Bhavan once again today and met with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. However, the Governor has given clear indications that merely being the single largest party will not automatically pave an easy path toward forming the government.

According to sources, the Governor remains firm in his stance that Vijay must first demonstrate a clear majority in the Legislative Assembly. The Raj Bhavan maintains that, in a large state like Tamil Nadu, the risk of an unstable government cannot be taken; therefore, proving the support of the 118 MLAs required for a majority in the 234-member Assembly is mandatory.

How ​​Many Seats Does the TVK Hold?
Notably, in the Assembly elections held on April 23, the TVK delivered a stellar performance, winning 108 seats and thereby attaining the status of the single largest party. However, Vijay himself won the election in two constituencies; as per the rules, he is required to vacate one of these seats. Consequently, the party’s effective strength will stand at 107.

Congress Extends Support to the TVK
The TVK received a major boost in its efforts to form the government when the Congress party decided to break away from the DMK alliance and extend its support to Vijay. Five Congress MLAs joined forces with the TVK; however, even with this addition, their total tally reached only 112. This means they are still short of the “magic number” for a majority of 118 MLAs by a margin of six. This is the reason why the Governor has not yet given the green signal for the swearing-in ceremony.

Vijay Stakes Claim to Form the Government
On Wednesday, Vijay formally staked his claim to form the government, submitting a letter of support from the Congress party. The very next day, he returned to the Raj Bhavan. It is believed that discussions during this visit focused on the arithmetic of government formation and strategies for garnering further support. However, no official statement has been issued by the Raj Bhavan regarding this matter so far.

Sources indicate that the Governor has made it explicitly clear that mere letters of support or verbal assertions will not suffice. He requires concrete proof of support from 118 MLAs to ensure that the government eventually formed is stable and capable of proving its majority on the floor of the Assembly. Meanwhile, TVK leader V.S. Babu stated in a conversation with the media that the process of government formation could move forward soon. However, he declined to comment on questions regarding alleged pressure from the Central Government.