Published May 06, 2026 | 9:51 PM ⚊ Updated May 06, 2026 | 10:10 PM
Vijay has already staked claim to form the government and met with the Governor on Wednesday.
Synopsis: Tamil Nadu acting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has reportedly not agreed to administer the oath of office to Chief Ministerial aspirant Vijay after the TVK chief staked claim to form the government. His party, the single largest in the recent Assembly elections, is still short of a majority and is actively seeking support from other parties. The Governor is reportedly unconvinced about the numbers, though Lok Bhavan has not issued any official communication.
Actor-turned-politician Vijay’s hopes of taking oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Thursday, 7 May, have reportedly hit a hurdle, with acting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar unconvinced that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has the numbers to prove a majority in the Assembly.
The party emerged as the single largest force in the recent Assembly elections with 108 seats, but is 11 short of the simple majority mark needed to form a government.
Congress formally announced support from its five newly elected MLAs earlier on Wednesday, but TVK still needs the backing of at least six more MLAs.
Vijay has already staked claim to form the government and met with the Governor on Wednesday. He has reportedly sought two weeks to prove his majority while actively courting parties such as the VCK for support.
But reports later the same day suggested that Arlekar had not yet agreed to administer the oath of office, though Lok Bhavan has not issued any official communication on the matter.
Also Read: Congress dumps DMK for Vijay: What happens to INDIA bloc now in Tamil Nadu?
Congress MP S Jyothimani criticised the Governor’s reported stand, saying Vijay need only prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly, not before the Governor.
“There is no need to prove a majority at the Governor’s residence. The only place where a majority has to be proven is on the floor of the Legislative Assembly. Supreme Court judgments are very clear on this issue. The people have decided that TVK president Mr Vijay should become the Chief Minister. It is not right for the Governor to stand against the people’s verdict,” she said.
The Karur MP further accused the Governor of acting at the BJP’s behest.
“I believe the Hon’ble Governor understands politics and constitutional provisions to this extent. The BJP must immediately stop doing politics through the Lok Bhavan. The Hon’ble Governor should immediately invite TVK president Mr Vijay to form the government,” she added.
Retired High Court judge Justice Hari Paranthaman agreed with Jyothimani, saying the TVK only needs to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly.
“There is nothing wrong in the Governor asking about the numbers. But it would become an issue only if he acts against Vijay or invites someone else to form the government – which he cannot do. In the present situation, it appears that he is willing to administer the oath. We will have to wait and watch,” he said.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
