Chennai: Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has emerged as the single largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly by winning 108 seats. However, forming a government requires the majority mark of 118, and TVK is now assessing how it can bridge the gap.
The party’s effective tally is expected to reduce further because Vijay contested and won in two constituencies, but can retain only one seat. With his resignation from the Tiruchirappalli East seat, TVK’s strength would fall to 107. If one MLA becomes Speaker, the voting strength available to the government side would effectively be 106, increasing the shortfall to 12.
In this backdrop, TVK is looking at possible support from parties in the DMK-led alliance. The Congress, which has five MLAs, is said to be considering unconditional support. If the Left parties, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and IUML are added, the combined support could total 14 seats—potentially taking TVK to 121 and past the majority mark.
Such a scenario could also raise questions about power-sharing and the terms of support. VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan has indicated that no discussions have taken place so far on extending support.
On the AIADMK-led side, parties other than AIADMK—PMK, BJP and AMMK—together have only six seats, which would not be enough. A larger possibility discussed is AIADMK’s 47 MLAs offering outside support, which would take the numbers much higher, but whether such an arrangement is feasible remains uncertain. Overall, the 2026 verdict is being seen as creating a complex situation for government formation compared to earlier minority-government precedents.
