Winning The Race Against The Clock: Why Vijay Had To Seal Tamil Nadu Numbers Before May 10

Last Updated:May 09, 2026, 17:37 IST

The term of the current 16th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is set to expire at midnight on May 10

In a dramatic culmination of a week-long constitutional stand-off, actor-politician Vijay has finally secured the mathematical mandate required to form the next government in Tamil Nadu. The breakthrough arrived on Saturday afternoon after the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) formally submitted its letter of support to the Lok Bhavan, pushing the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led coalition over the threshold. With reports suggesting that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has also extended its support to the “Thalapathy" camp, the political paralysis that gripped Chennai since the election results has effectively ended.

How did the TVK manage to cross the majority mark?

The journey to the magic number of 118 was a high-stakes exercise in coalition arithmetic. While Vijay’s TVK emerged as the single largest party with 107 seats, it remained tantalisingly short of a majority on its own. The deadlock was broken through a series of rapid negotiations with the constituents of the erstwhile Secular Progressive Alliance. The Congress, with its five legislators, and the Left parties, holding four seats, were the first to jump ship from the DMK camp.

However, the “kingmaker" role was ultimately played by Thol. Thirumavalavan’s VCK. Despite intense pressure from the incumbent DMK to maintain the old alliance, the VCK leadership opted to back Vijay, citing a shared commitment to social justice and a desire for a “power-sharing" arrangement in the cabinet. The reported inclusion of the IUML further bolsters the secular credentials of the new front, giving Vijay a comfortable cushion of 119 to 120 MLAs in a 234-member house.

Why was there a desperate race against the May 10 deadline?

The urgency behind these negotiations was not merely political but strictly constitutional. The term of the current 16th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is set to expire at midnight on May 10. Under Article 172(1) of the Indian Constitution, an assembly exists for exactly five years from the date appointed for its first meeting, unless dissolved sooner. If a new government is not sworn in or a clear majority is not established before the clock strikes twelve on Sunday night, the state would fall into a constitutional vacuum.

In such a scenario, Governor Rajendra Arlekar may have had to recommend the imposition of President’s Rule under Article 356. This would have meant the Union Government taking direct control of the state’s administration through the Governor, a move that would have been a massive blow to the TVK’s mandate and could have delayed the swearing-in by weeks or even months. By clinching the deal on Saturday, Vijay has successfully preempted a takeover by the Centre and ensured a democratic transition of power.

What are the Governor’s next steps for the swearing-in?

Governor Arlekar is now expected to issue a formal invitation to Vijay to form the government. Sources within the Lok Bhavan indicate that the Governor, who has a scheduled visit to Thiruvananthapuram, may expedite the process to ensure the oath-taking ceremony occurs before the Sunday midnight deadline. There is a strong possibility of a late-night ceremony on Saturday or an early morning event on Sunday at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, say sources.

The TVK headquarters in Panaiyur has already turned into a site of celebration as cadres prepare for what they call the “People’s Coronation". For the first time in nearly five decades, Tamil Nadu is set to be governed by a coalition model where the lead party does not hold a simple majority on its own. This shift signifies a new era of “inclusive governance" that Vijay promised during his campaign, but it also means his first challenge as Chief Minister will be managing the diverse, and often demanding, aspirations of his five coalition partners.

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