Vijay’s TVK seeks CPI’s support after Congress, CPI(M) outreach

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay has reached out to the Communist Party of India (CPI), a constituent of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), seeking support to form the government in Tamil Nadu after the party emerged as the single largest in the State Assembly with 108 seats, short of a simple majority in the 234-member House.

Speaking to The Hindu, CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian said the party had received a letter from Mr. Vijay late on Tuesday (May 5, 2026) night, addressed to him, seeking the CPI’s support to form the government. “The party has called for an executive committee meeting on May 8. We will discuss and, if required, we will call for an urgent State committee meeting the next day to take a call on the TVK’s request,” he said.

The CPI has won two seats in the 2026 Assembly election. The TVK has already reached out to the Congress and the CPI (M), both part of the SPA. The Congress has won five seats, while the CPI (M) has won two seats.

Since Mr. Vijay has to resign from one of the two constituencies — Perambur and Tiruchi East — from where he was elected, the TVK would effectively have 107 MLAs. This would bring down the strength of the House to 233. The TVK needs the support of 10 more members to get a majority of 117. The Congress has internally decided to pledge support to the TVK but is yet to make a formal announcement shortly.

It appears the TVK is leaving no stone unturned to reach out to allies of the DMK and the AIADMK, seeking support to form the government, through multiple channels. Meanwhile, the party had written a letter to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Tuesday, mentioning that it has emerged as the single largest party with a 34.92% vote share. However, according to sources, the Governor has asked the TVK to come up with the numbers to form the government.