Published May 12, 2026 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated May 12, 2026 | 7:00 AM
Vijay with Rahul Gandhi during the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, 10 May.
Synopsis: Joseph Vijay-led TVK government must prove its majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly before 13 May. It currently has the support of 119 MLAs, just one more than the required 118 for a majority. The latest development in the AIADMK may work in favour of the TVK.
The day-old TVK government in Tamil Nadu is functioning under tremendous pressure, since the party could not win the required majority by itself.
C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam now has the support of 120 MLAs, after the Congress with five elected members, and the CPI, CPI(M), IUML and VCK — all four having two MLAs each — supporting the nascent party.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay and his ministers on Sunday, 10 May, has given TVK time till 13 May to prove its majority in the State Legislative Assembly.
The Governor has the authority to direct the Chief Minister to conduct a floor test if a majority is in doubt. While no specific deadline has been mandated by the Constitution, the Supreme Court has consistently held that the floor test must be conducted at the “earliest available opportunity” to avoid horse-trading. Recent court-monitored cases have directed governments to prove their majority within 24 hours to seven days.
In Tamil Nadu, no party has won the majority to form the government, but TVK emerged as the single-largest political outfit, winning 108 seats. Vijay won two seats, Perambur and Trichy East. He will have one vote during the floor test, effectively bringing TVK’s strength to 107.
Additionally, if the Speaker is from the TVK, the party’s strength will further reduce to 106. With its allies’ support, the government will survive the floor test. However, the days after the test will be tough for TVK since the Left parties, IUML, and VCK are still in the Opposition DMK-led alliance.
Also Read: Vijay takes oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
However, TVK has reason to be confident of completing its term. A rebel AIADMK faction with 30 MLAs is reportedly in talks with the TVK. The rebel MLAs, on Monday, 11 May, elected SP Velumani as the Legislative Party leader, while 17 others backed Edappadi K Palaniswami as their leader.
Speaking to South First, an MP from one of the parties supporting TVK, claimed that discussions are underway with the Velumani faction.
“Even if the current allies create problems, over 30 AIADMK MLAs are in talks on supporting TVK. Discussions regarding ministerial berths and other arrangements are also taking place. With their support, TVK will comfortably prove its majority,” the MP claimed, while preferring to stay anonymous.
He claimed that the Congress was denied representation in the Cabinet because of pressure from the BJP.
The leader said that Melur Congress MLA P Viswanathan was expected to be sworn in on Sunday, along with Vijay and nine others. However, the decision to induct him into the Cabinet was reversed at the last minute, allegedly due to the pressure the BJP has been putting on TVK through the AIADMK faction.
The MP also claimed that with the BJP’s indirect support, the TVK government would complete its five-year term without facing any major hurdle.
Senior journalist Nakkheeran Prakash told South First that TVK is likely to accept outside support from the AIADMK if required, but is unlikely to give the party a role in the Cabinet. Instead, it may keep the support as a political backup option.
Meanwhile, a top Congress source said that though Viswanathan has been promised a ministerial berth, no assurance was given that he will be sworn in on 10 May.
“Once the floor test is over, he and another Congress MLA will take oath as ministers,” he said.
The leader further said that there is currently a race within the Congress for the second ministerial berth, with Kiliyoor MLA and Congress Legislature Party leader Rajesh Kumar S, as well as Colachel MLA Tharagai Cuthbert, being considered frontrunners.
Now the bigger question remains whether the Congress would still get ministerial representation if a formal agreement is reached between the AIADMK faction and TVK ahead of the floor test.
“It remains uncertain. If AIADMK extends the support of 30 MLAs, TVK can comfortably prove its majority. In such a situation, they may no longer depend on other alliance partners,” the MP said.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
