Tamil Nadu has recently fallen into a major political crisis after actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) were allegedly denied an immediate invitation to put together the government despite coming out as the single-largest party in the 2026 Assembly elections.
The debate grew worse when Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar told TVK leadership that the party hadn’t proven to have majority support in the 234-member Assembly. TVK obtained 108 seats in the vote; however did not reach the 118-seat majority.
The Governor’s move has sparked a political maelstrom across the state, with TVK leaders arguing that all 108 MLAs could resign en masse if rival Dravidian parties seek to form the government through post-poll horse-trading or political intrigue. TVK believes that, as the largest party, it deserves the first chance to assert its majority on the Assembly floor.
The deadlock follows the meeting of Vijay with Governor Arlekar twice within 24 hours to claim the floor to form the government. That doesn't go far enough, and Raj Bhavan said the party still had not done enough to gain enough legislative support to legitimise an invitation to form the ministry.
Sporing speculation that longstanding adversaries Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) might seek strategic collaboration to prevent TVK from ruling, the matter has gotten more complicated.
Though both sides have publicly played down such reports, political discussions in private have heated up since the election results were proclaimed. Support for Vijay, meanwhile, has arisen from several opposition leaders and smaller parties. Leaders from the Left parties and VCK have protested and criticised the Governor’s style of operations, and say constitutional convention demands only the single-largest party be invited to form the govt and to prove majority later by a floor test.
The Congress, which won five seats, has already supported TVK but is still below this number. TVK is reportedly still in talks with independents and smaller parties looking to narrow the rift. It has generated bitter political tension in Tamil Nadu, which has sent cries of the Governor’s failure to get the democratisation started on all proportions, as Vijay’s supporters contend that the process of democracy has been delayed by him.
Online reactions have included a stream of comments on social media platforms; constitutional experts have differed on whether the Governor should have urgently invited TVK to try formal government formation. Among these is the opinion of some analysts who believe the crisis could eventually come into the courts.
For all this frustration, there is no visible path to government formation yet in Tamil Nadu, as both sides are preparing themselves for the new day. In the days ahead, negotiations for alliances, legal interpretations and approaches to political formation would be very important, according to some analysts; and it is anticipated that Vijay’s TVK will then form the first-ever government or a path to instability for the state.
