Chennai, May 9 (UNI) Crossing the final hurdle for a majority and putting an end to the uncertainty persisting over government formation in Tamil Nadu, the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Saturday secured unconditional support of the dalit-outfit Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and that of the IUML for ‘Vijay Sarkar’, the coronation of which is likely tomorrow.
For the fourth time in succession within four days, Vijay, armed with the letters of support, called on Governor Vishwanath Rajendra Arlekar and staked his claim to form the next government and is likely to take the oath at 3 pm tomorrow (Sunday May 10, 2026) in the swearing in ceremony, heralding the first ever coalition government in TN political history.
Vijay was accompanied by CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam and TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai, besides respresentatives of the other supporting parties.
Earlier, the Governor had stuck to his stand that the TVK produce proof of majority for extending the invite to Vijay.
Earlier, the Lok Bhavan declined to meet Vijay on the pretext that he is leaving for Thiruvananthapuram by 7 pm, forcing him to return home. Now there is no impediment for TVK chief Vijay to take oath and take over the reins of the Dravidian heartland, but for the Governor delaying the invite for government formation. Arlekar had also maintained that he would have no difficulty swearing in Vijay or any party which stakes claim with the requisite proof for majority.
The Governor has come under attack for initially declining to meet Vijay, despite having secured more than the required majority, with the parties supporting the TVK slamming the Lok Bhavan for playing spoilsport and wantonly stymieing the TVK chief’s ascension. Further, the Governor is accused of dereliction of duty and acting against the Constitution.
With both the VCK and IUML extending outside support, close on the heels of the CPI and CPI(M) taking the lead in backing the TVK, Vijay now has the support of 120 legislators in a 234-member House, two more than 118, required for a majority. It was the apprehension of President’s rule being imposed that has forced the parties to line up behind the TVK. Also, the effort by the DMK and the AIADMK to prop up a coalition government had fallen through as the Left Parties have torpedoed it.
On a day of fast paced political developments, the VCK announced its decision, putting an end to its procrastination and ambivalence, offering the letter of support in the evening. The IUML, which yesterday claimed that it had not offered support to the but only for the Governor to take measures for a stable government, also fell in line and gave the letter pledging unconditional support.
Interestingly, this development comes hours after nearly 30 newly elected AIADMK legislators had a conclave at the residence of former minister C Ve Shanmugam, which was seen as a move to team up with the TVK by breaking ranks with party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), who had earlier held a meeting with all the elected legislators at his residence in the city, upon their return from three-day sojourn (to avoid poaching) in Puducherry. .
Significantly, it was the VCK’s decision which was keenly awaited as Thirumavalavan had postponed the announcement since yesterday while initially maintaining that a decision in tune with the Left parties would be taken. Hence, expectation was on the rise since the morning. Except the Congress, which has dumped the DMK and switched over to the TVK, all the four parties – VCK, CPI, CPI(M) and IUML, have maintained that their tie-up with the DMK would continue despite the unconditional support to the TVK government.
After the week-long impasse that saw high drama, hectic political activities, all issues were settled amicably true to the saying all's well that ends well, asVCK finally broke the ice, confirmed his party's support of two MLAs to Vijay, who finally mustered the support of 120 MLAs--TVK 107, Congress-5, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, IUML-2 each--setting the stage for his coronation.
As Vijay’s vehicle entered the Lok Bhavan, celebrations broke out in Chennai and across the state with ecstatic Vijay fans and TVK supporters with people heaving sigh of relief at the suspense coming to a happy end.
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