From Uncertainty To CM-In-Waiting: How Vijay Secured 120 MLAs In 92 Hours

Last Updated:May 10, 2026, 06:00 IST

The breakthrough came when the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) extended support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)

“Fourth time’s a charm“, they say. For TVK Chief Vijay, the path is now clear for the formation of the government in Tamil Nadu as he is set to take oath as the Chief Minister today, May 10.

Vijay met with the governor, along with his alliance partners, at the Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Saturday evening to stake a claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu.

The breakthrough came when the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) extended support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), with the total seat tally reaching 120.

The TVK — led by actor-turned-politician Vijay — scripted history in Tamil Nadu by winning 108 seats in the 234-member assembly. However, it fell short of the majority mark, which is 118, prompting a search for allies.

VCK Chief Thol. Thirumavalavan said that his party extended support to the TVK to prevent President’s rule in Tamil Nadu.

“We’re supporting the TVK to form the government and to prevent President’s rule. Political crisis in Tamil Nadu should not become a cause for implementing President’s rule", he said, CNN-News18 reported.

“Took long term vision into account, decided to extend unconditional support to TVK", he added.

The Magic Number

With the support of the VCK and the IUML, the total seat tally now stands at 120, exceeding the majority mark of 118.

Take a look at the numbers —

TVK: 107

Congress: 5

CPI: 2

CPI (M): 2

VCK: 2

IUML: 2

The Congress had extended support to the TVK on the condition that any “communal forces" will be kept out of the alliance.

How The Drama Unfolded

With the support of 120 MLAs, TVK Chief Vijay met with governor RV Arlekar and once again, staked a claim to form the government in the state.

This time, he gave the go-ahead to Vijay, paving the way for the government formation in the state after days of stalemate.

Earlier in the day, his convoy headed to Lok Bhavan returned mid-way as several reports suggested that the governor had refused to give an appointment to the TVK chief.

A CPI(M) leader told CNN-News18 that the governor had cited prior engagements and denied an appointment to Vijay.

On Friday evening, TVK Chief Vijay met with governor Arlekar — for a third time — and declared that he has the support of 118 MLAs, the exact number needed for majority.

However, sources in the Governor’s office said that Vijay had not yet been invited to take the oath as Chief Minister because he had not proven the support of 118 MLAs.

The TVK Chief met with the governor twice — Wednesday and Thursday — in two days to stake a claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu but Arlekar told him, “Come back with 118 MLAs".

In the Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026, the TVK won 108 seats. The DMK secured 59 seats, AIADMK 47, PMK 4, IUML 2, CPI 2 and CPI(M) 2, while BJP, DMDK and AMMK won one seat each.

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