Published May 06, 2026 | 12:19 PM ⚊ Updated May 06, 2026 | 12:48 PM
TVK candidates matched, and in many cases surpassed, the postal vote counts of the DMK and the AIADMK.
Synopsis: With TVK requiring 11 more seats to form the government in Tamil Nadu, a tense political atmosphere has emerged over Congress choosing to extend its support. At the same time, voices from within the AIADMK have argued that the party should support TVK despite Edappadi Palaniswami’s reluctance.
With Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) requiring 11 more seats to form the government in Tamil Nadu, a tense political atmosphere has emerged in the state after Congress chose to extend its support on Wednesday, 6 May.
AIADMK has been witnessing internal dissent, with a section of its leaders arguing in favour of support for the TVK, much to the chagrin of General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami. AIADMK is an ally of the BJP and part of the NDA in Tamil Nadu.
In a press release issued by All India Congress Committee (AICC) Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar, the Congress said the people of Tamil Nadu, especially the youth, had delivered a “clear, strong and overwhelming verdict” in favour of a secular, progressive and welfare-oriented government rooted in constitutional principles.
“The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) have decided to extend its full support to the TVK to form the government,” the statement said.
The TVK is the single largest party with 108 seats, but is 11 short of the absolute majority, since party chief Vijay has won two seats. In the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, 118 seats are required to form the government.
Vijay had started talks with the Congress and other parties in the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance to bridge the gap and secure the numbers to form the government.
So far, TVK is said to have reached out to VCK, IUML and CPI, and Congress is advocating for them to extend support. While CPI is undecided, VCK and IUML have reiterated their support for MK Stalin-led DMK.
However, the Congress clarified that its support would be conditional on TVK keeping away “communal forces that do not believe in the Constitution of India,” an apparent reference to the BJP and its allies.
While the Congress has won only five seats, the AIADMK has 47 seats in its kitty. With AIADMK being in the NDA fold, an alliance of TVK, Congress and AIADMK seems impossible unless AIADMK breaks its alliance with the BJP.
Also Read: Congress likely to support TVK in Tamil Nadu to form government
Meanwhile, reports suggest that AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is holding discussions with former ministers SP Velumani and CV Shanmugam.
According to sources, dissenting voices within the AIADMK have reportedly argued that the party should support TVK. It is also being said that the leadership is seriously deliberating on the matter. Amid these developments, reports further claim that TVK functionaries met Edappadi K Palaniswami at his residence.
Earlier, Vijay had written directly to the Congress party seeking support through an official letter. Amid this, a crucial meeting was held at Sathyamurthy Bhavan, the Tamil Nadu Congress headquarters, on Wednesday to discuss the party’s stand.
On Tuesday, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal had said the party’s Tamil Nadu unit will take the final call on support to the TVK.
The statement by Congress said the alliance with TVK would work towards restoring the “glory days” of former chief minister K Kamaraj while upholding the social justice ideals of Periyar EV Ramasamy and the constitutional principles of BR Ambedkar.
It also indicated that the understanding between the two parties could continue beyond government formation and extend to future local body, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections.
The release added that Vijay and Rahul Gandhi had jointly pledged to respect the mandate of the people and fulfil the aspirations of Tamil Nadu, particularly its youth.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Tuesday indicated support for TVK in the post-election political scenario, stating that the people’s verdict had gone against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government and that several ministers had lost their seats.
“The verdict has gone against the DMK government. Half the ministers in the Cabinet have lost their seats. We faced collateral damage for no fault of ours,” he said.
Stating that the BJP is now eyeing Tamil Nadu, Manickam Tagore posed a political question before the alliance and the people.
“The question before us is clear: Should we stand with those rejected by the people’s verdict, or should we unite with the force that fought against the BJP and fight to stop the BJP from ruling Tamil Nadu?” he asked.
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
