Published May 08, 2026 | 4:56 PM ⚊ Updated May 08, 2026 | 6:29 PM
The CPI legislature party said it was extending support to TVK “in the interest of stable, secular and democratic governance."
Synopsis: The CPI and CPI(M) on Friday extended unconditional support to Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the government in Tamil Nadu, taking the formation’s effective strength to 117, just one short of the majority mark of 118. The VCK, whom Vijay is also learnt to have approached, is now expected to follow suit, ending days of uncertainty.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] on Friday, 8 May, extended unconditional support to actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for the formation of the government in Tamil Nadu, taking the formation’s effective strength to 117.
CPI’s formal letter of support was handed over to TVK functionary CTR Nirmal Kumar. T Ramachandran and R Chellaswamy, leaders of the CPI and CPI(M) legislature parties respectively, also wrote to the Governor confirming their support to TVK.
In its letter, the CPI legislature party said it was extending support to TVK “in the interest of stable, secular and democratic governance for the people of Tamil Nadu”.
Addressing a press conference on Friday evening, leaders of the CPI and CPI(M) said they would support TVK from outside but would not participate in the Cabinet, and would remain aligned with the DMK politically.
“The DMK-led alliance could not secure enough seats to form the government. At present, TVK is the only party in a position to form the government. To prevent BJP from coming to power indirectly, we have decided to support TVK,” the leaders said.
The parties also clarified that VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan had also conveyed support for the Left parties’ stand.
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TVK emerged as the single largest party in the recent Assembly election with 108 seats, falling 11 short of the majority mark of 118 after taking into account the legal requirement for Vijay to resign from one of the two seats he won.
The Governor has so far delayed inviting TVK to form the government, maintaining that the party, despite emerging as the single largest formation, has not yet demonstrated majority support in the Assembly.
The Left parties alleged that Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar insisting on proof of support from 118 MLAs before inviting TVK to form the government was against democratic and constitutional norms.
“The Governor is attempting to prevent Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government,” the leaders alleged.
Meanwhile, a proposal by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) seeking DMK support to form an alternative government was discussed before DMK president MK Stalin during a party meeting on Thursday.
The question of considering the AIADMK proposal was reportedly raised by MLAs after Stalin categorically stated that the DMK would not disturb Vijay for six months and that TVK should go ahead and form the government.
Sources said the AIADMK had proposed that it should lead the government while the DMK would extend outside support.
On Wednesday, the Congress became the first party to throw its weight behind Vijay, breaking its 19-year alliance with the DMK and taking TVK’s tally to 113.
Vijay had earlier approached other DMK allies, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the two Left parties each of which has two MLA-elects.
After a meeting of allies at the DMK headquarters in Chennai on Thursday, MK Stalin is learnt to have left the decision on whether the VCK and the Left parties should support TVK to the respective party leaderships.
With the Left parties officially extending support, VCK is expected to follow suit.
