Outgoing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said he would wait until the popularly chosen Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), led by ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay, forms the government and monitor “undisturbed” for a few months.
Vijay’s TVK put up a stunning show in the recently concluded 2026 Tamil Nadu elections in its first poll, winning 108 seats – just 10 short of the majority mark of 118 seats in the state Assembly. Follow Tamil Nadu government formation news here
TVK now needs the remaining seats to be able to form the government and gain the support of Congress, which won five seats. Congress support is not enough for TVK, which is yet to get explicit support from any other party.
Amid TVK’s efforts to garner support, Stalin on Wednesday indicated that his Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party does not want a constitutional crisis.
“The DMK will wait for TVK leader C Joseph Vijay to form the government and will watch without disturbance for six months,” Stalin was quoted as saying by the Times Of India.
“The new government must continue the free breakfast program for school children,” he said in response to a question about what tops his list of priorities. “And “Kalainar Magalir Orimai Thugai” ( $Stalin added: “1,000 monthly allowances for women who support their families.”
When asked about Vijay’s promise to $2,500 for women, Stalin doubted the feasibility of the same.
“Give them at least $1,000 as we did,” he said, adding that his government had fulfilled 90 per cent of the promises made by the party in its manifesto for 2021. He said some promises like stopping NEET could not be fulfilled due to the Centre’s control.
He said their promises in this poll were also practical. “In this election too, we only promised things that we can deliver. I don’t think TVK will be able to keep its promises.” [referring to six free LPG cylinders a year to each family of ration card holders]He was quoted as saying.
Actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlikar on Wednesday to claim power but was not invited to form the next government as officials said Lok Bhavan was seeking legal opinion to ensure Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) gets majority.
TVK chasing the majority
Breaking the 50-year-old duopoly to emerge as the single largest party in the 2026 Assembly elections was not enough for Vijay’s new party TVK to form government in Tamil Nadu, where the simple majority mark in the 234-member House stands at 118.
Vijay has the support of the five lawmakers in Congress, but he has not yet received explicit support from any other party.
Vijay on Wednesday provided a list of names of TVK and Congress legislators who pledged support, Tamil Nadu Congress leaders said, requesting anonymity. But Lok Bhavan officials noted that a formal decision on inviting Vijay to form the government and holding the oath-taking ceremony has not been taken yet, HT reported earlier. The governor is also seeking a legal opinion, officials added.
“The governor wants to ensure that Vijay has the support of a majority of MLAs,” said an official requesting anonymity. Lok Bhavan did not officially respond to HT’s queries on why Vijay was not invited.
