Congress leader and Tamil Nadu party in-charge Girish Chodankar on Tuesday said he had informed the top leadership, including President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, about the evolving political situation in Tamil Nadu after actor-politician Joseph Vijay’s party, Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Assembly elections.
TVK defeated both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), winning 108 seats – just short of the 118 seats required to form the government.
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According to political experts, TVK needs 10 more seats and will need support from either the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance or the AIADMK-led NDA to claim the share.
Speaking to reporters, Chodankar said: “I have already submitted a report to (Congress president Mallikarjun) Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal. I think they will get in touch after a while on what to do in Tamil Nadu.”
Regarding TVK’s performance, he observed that “the people of Tamil Nadu have generally voted in favor of change.”
“Youth and women have moved towards TVK. That’s why TVK has won in large numbers,” he said.
Also Read: Vijay’s TVK no. The first party in Tamil Nadu, but it lacks a majority. What will happen next – explaining the scenarios
According to political expert Vijayanand, the governor is calling on the single largest party to form the government and prove its majority.
“In this case, it is Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam that has emerged as the largest party with 108 seats. It… needs to muster support from smaller parties to form a government,” he said in a social media post on Tuesday.
He added that after inviting the largest party, the governor is usually given about seven to 15 days to prove his majority in the House of Representatives through a vote of confidence.
“If TVK forms the government, Vijay will become chief minister. However, if TVK fails to prove its majority, the governor may invite the next largest group,” he said.
He further noted that if no party is able to form a stable government, the Governor may recommend rule to the President under Article 356 of the Constitution.
He added: “It is possible that the Legislative Council will remain in a state of suspension and new elections may be called at a later time.”
Meanwhile, senior politician and TVK campaign secretary Nanjil P Sampath, responding to queries about the 11-seat shortfall, said the remaining support would come “automatically”.
However, he remained noncommittal on how this would happen.
In response to a question about the possible alliance with the Congress, he said: “My personal view is that I expect that to happen.”
Regarding the formation of the government, Sampath said he would contact Governor Rajendra Arlikar “today or tomorrow.”
Regarding the party’s performance, he said: “The victory achieved by TVK has never been achieved by anyone in the history of Indian politics.”
He further said: “Vijay has been saying in public meetings that the elections are a fight between TVK and DMK. Through the results, he has proven this statement.”
“TVK’s 34.92 per cent vote share is the highest peak of victory achieved for any leader in the history of India. This will be talked about forever,” he added.
