Published May 05, 2026 | 10:50 PM ⚊ Updated May 05, 2026 | 10:50 PM
Vijay thanked Modi and said he looked forward to the Union government’s support.
Synopsis: TVK chief Vijay thanked LoP Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their congratulatory messages in his first public statement since his party emerged as the single largest in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. With 108 seats, the TVK still needs the support of 11 MLAs from other parties to form a government, with the Congress among those expected to lend it ‘outside’ backing.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Tuesday, 5 May thanked Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their congratulatory messages, in his first public statement since his party emerged as the single largest formation in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
“My sincere thanks to the Honorable Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha for the call and kind wishes! We shall remain committed to excellence in public service, and preserving the cultural ethos of our state which requires collective cooperation. Beyond politics, we shall prioritize for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu,” Vijay wrote in a post on X.
He was responding to Gandhi’s earlier post congratulating Vijay on “TVK’s spectacular result”. “This mandate reflects the rising voice of youth which cannot, and will not, be ignored,” Gandhi added.
My sincere thanks to the Honorable Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha for the call and kind wishes! We shall remain committed to excellence in public service, and preserving the cultural ethos of our state which requires collective cooperation. Beyond politics, we shall… https://t.co/dohAfUSq0e
— TVK Vijay (@TVKVijayHQ) May 5, 2026
In a separate post, Vijay thanked Modi and said he looked forward to the Union government’s support.
“Thank you, Hon’ble Prime Minister, for your greetings. The well-being of our people remains our only goal. Transcending politics, we shall focus on the State’s progress and the welfare of people of Tamil Nadu. We look forward to the Union Government’s support in this endeavor,” Vijay wrote.
The prime minister had earlier called the TVK’s performance “impressive”.
“Gratitude to the voters of Tamil Nadu who supported the NDA in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections. We will always remain at the forefront in addressing people’s issues and improving their lives. Congratulations to TVK on their impressive performance. The Centre will leave no stone unturned in furthering the progress of Tamil Nadu and the well-being of their people,” he wrote.
Also Read: 57 DMK, 25 AIADMK, 10 INC, 4 BJP: Who TVK defeated in Tamil Nadu polls
Intrigue around formation of government
For the first time since 1967, Tamil Nadu is headed towards the possibility of a government led by a party outside the two dominant Dravidian parties: the DMK and the AIADMK.
Within just two years of launching the party, Vijay now stands on the cusp of capturing power in Tamil Nadu. However, despite emerging as the single largest party with 108 seats at the final count, the TVK needs the support of at least 11 more MLAs to form a government.
Following the unexpected result, leaders from these parties have struck a cautious tone about potential alliances with the TVK.
Given his rhetoric in the run-up to the elections, casting the BJP as an “ideological opponent”, the TVK is expected not to align with the saffron party.
The Congress, which came close to breaking from the DMK alliance to join hands with the TVK but stayed, is considering “outside” support.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
