Published May 08, 2026 | 4:56 PM ⚊ Updated May 09, 2026 | 12:22 AM
Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor-in-charge Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for a third time late on Friday evening.
Synopsis: The CPI, 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 116. The IUML denied backing the TVK and reiterated that it would remain in alliance with the DMK. The Left parties, meanwhile, said they would support the TVK from outside while remaining politically aligned with the DMK. While VCK has reportedly decided to extend support, official word is awaited.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay received unconditional support from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] on Friday, 8 May for the formation of the government in Tamil Nadu. While Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) sources said the party had decided to extend support to Vijay, official word is awaited. The party is expected to make its decision public on Saturday.
Alongside TVK’s 108 seats, and with support from Congress’ 5 MLa elects, the CPI, CPI(M), and VCK have two-MLA elects each, taking the formation’s effective strength to 119, above the requisite 118 majority.
Though initial information suggested that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had also extended support to the TVK, National President Prof KM Kader Mohideen denied any such move and said the party would continue in the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance.
The party said TVK Vijay had spoken to IUML leaders over the phone seeking support.
But after consultations with party leaders and administrators across Tamil Nadu, the IUML decided to remain in the DMK-led alliance and extend support only to that front.
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.
Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor-in-charge Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for a third time late on Friday evening. He then proceeded to meet leaders of the parties that extended support to him.
.@tncpim State Committee Meeting – Press Statement
08.05.2026The Tamil Nadu State Committee meeting of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) was held today in Chennai and was chaired by Central Committee member Comrade N. Gunasekaran. The meeting was attended by Politburo…
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) May 8, 2026
Also Read: When AIADMK was broached in DMK meeting: Why allies hold the key
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.
On Friday, Stalin also urged the governor to immediately initiate constitutional procedures for the formation of a new government in Tamil Nadu, stating that any delay would go against democratic principles.
தமிழ்நாடு சட்டமன்றத் தேர்தல் முடிவுகள் வெளியாகி, மக்களால் தேர்வு செய்யப்பட்ட சட்டமன்ற உறுப்பினர்களின் பட்டியலைத் தேர்தல் ஆணையம் வெளியிட்டு விட்டது. ஏற்கனவே இருந்த சட்டமன்றத்தையும் கலைத்து மாண்புமிகு ஆளுநர் அவர்கள் ஆணையும் பிறப்பித்து விட்டார். இப்படியொரு நிலையில், தேர்தலில் வென்ற…
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) May 8, 2026
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 for support.
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.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
