Chief Minister Or Not, Vijay's TVK Will Decide How Stable Tamil Nadu's Next Govt Will Be. Here's How

Last Updated:May 08, 2026, 16:47 IST

The impasse between Vijay's TVK and Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar has delayed the process of government formation and raised questions about the governor's discretion.

Despite a blockbuster political debut, Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) efforts to form the next government in Tamil Nadu have been delayed by Governor RV Arlekar’s demand for proof of a majority in the Assembly, raising questions about gubernatorial discretion against the mandate of the people.

The TVK stunned both Dravidian rivals DMK and the AIADMK by bagging 108 out of Tamil Nadu’s 234 seats, with a vote share of 34.9%, resulting in the first hung assembly in the state since 1952. Vijay won two seats, effectively reducing the TVK’s tally to 107 seats.

When Vijay staked a claim to form a government on May 5 with the support of 107 MLAs, Governor Arlekar told him that he did not prima facie have the strength to form the next government. When he approached the governor again on Thursday with the support of five Congress MLAs, his request was once again denied.

FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES

Can TVK Form The Government?

Vijay is expected to meet the Governor for the third time today, where he will cite legal precedents from several states and urge the Governor to allow him to form the government and subsequently prove majority support through a floor test in the Assembly. The party has also said it will move the Supreme Court if the Governor denies Vijay’s request again.

Article 164 of the Constitution says the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor, and the other ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. However, it can exercise discretionary powers in special cases, such as a hung assembly.

ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu Government Formation Speculation: Governor’s Discretionary Powers Explained

However, the Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the appropriate forum to determine the majority is the Assembly floor and not the Raj Bhavan. In 2017, the Congress moved the Supreme Court after the Governor invited the BJP to form the government in Karnataka and prove the majority, while the Congress had stitched an alliance with the JD(S). The court ordered a floor test within two days, and the BJP failed to prove majority.

Why Vijay Decides Stability Of TN Govt?

Irrespective of whether he is appointed as the Chief Minister, it is ultimately up to Vijay’s TVK to decide the stability of the incoming government in Tamil Nadu.

Single Largest Party: TVK has the highest number of MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, which means it cannot be ignored in the government formation exercise. The DMK and the AIADMK have mulled an alliance, but it would require all allies to remain on board, which is already in muddy waters since Congress chose to ally with the TVK, while the CPI and CPI(M) are also on board.

Strong Public Support: The TVK enjoys widespread public support, as reflected in the recent Assembly elections. The party’s tally of 108 seats, just two years after its formation, underscored how Vijay’s massive on-screen popularity and voters’ shift away from traditional political models contributed to TVK’s historic mandate.

A Mandate For Change: As mentioned earlier, this year’s election in Tamil Nadu was most unexpected as the public chose to break away with decades of tradition in largely oscillating between the two known, established options. Tamil Nadu has not had a coalition government since 1967, with the DMK and the AIADMK competing against each other for decades.

What Happens If Vijay Fails To Prove Floor Test?

Firstly, if there is a prolonged delay in Tamil Nadu’s government formation, it may invite legal challenges. In 2023, the Supreme Court had limited the Governor’s discretionary powers in government formation and floor tests, and said they must remain politically neutral.

On the other hand, if TVK fails to prove a majority on the floor and no other alternative is available, the Governor can recommend dissolution of the Assembly under Article 356 because the government of the state cannot be run in accordance with the Constitution.

News india Chief Minister Or Not, Vijay's TVK Will Decide How Stable Tamil Nadu's Next Govt Will Be. Here's How

Read More