UPDATED: May 7, 2026 12:33 IST
Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Thursday turned down TVK chief Vijay’s proposal to form the government for the second consecutive day. Vijay met the Governor again today at Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the government, but the Governor asked him to return only after securing the support of 118 MLAs, sources said.
According to sources, the Governor told Vijay that TVK still fell short of the required numbers and asked him to come back with signatures of 118 MLAs before any swearing-in process could take place.
“Please come with 118 signatures. Prove that TVK has majority and then the oath can happen,” the Governor is learnt to have told Vijay. Sources said the Governor insisted on written support to ensure that the government remains stable and does not collapse after formation.
Although Vijay secured support from the Congress, which has five MLAs, he orally informed the Governor that he had the party’s backing and sought more time to shore up the numbers further, according to sources.
However, Governor Arlekar reportedly told him that the numbers were insufficient and asked him to return with the support of 118 legislators, triggering a fresh round of political efforts.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan on Thursday urged Governor Arlekar to invite Vijay to form the government and allow him to prove his majority on the floor of the House.
Speaking to regional media, Thirumavalavan alleged that the BJP was interfering in Tamil Nadu politics and creating confusion. He said Vijay, as leader of the single largest party, should be allowed to take office and prove majority in the Assembly later.
“Now, the BJP, or Amit Shah and Modi, are interfering in Tamil Nadu politics and creating confusion. TVK has been chosen as the single largest party by the people. Therefore, he should be allowed to take office. That is the guidance provided by the Constitution,” he said.
The Tamil Nadu unit of the Communist Party of India also urged the Governor to act according to the Constitution and said it was “inappropriate” to ask Vijay to prove his majority before the swearing-in ceremony.
TVK stunned the Dravidian parties in the state and brought an end to the DMK-AIADMK three-decade-old political duopoly. With Vijay set to vacate one of the two seats he won in the Assembly polls, TVK’s effective strength in the House will come down to 107. Along with Congress, the alliance currently has 112 members, five short of the majority mark.
Article 164(1) of the Indian Constitution gives the Governor the power to appoint the Chief Minister. In the case of a hung Assembly, the Constitution also gives the Governor discretion to decide the right candidate for the Chief Minister’s post. Historically, Governors in several states have invited the leader of the single largest party to form a minority government.
