It was a first day, first show, all sold out for actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in yesterday's Tamil Nadu state election results. The dust has settled on the electoral ballots, but teh real political drama has just begun in Chennai. TVK officially emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats, shattering the decades-old DMK-AIADMK duopoly.
However, with the finish line for a simple majority set at 118, the state is witnessing its first hung assembly in recent memory, triggering a high-stakes scramble for power. TVK finished at 108, followed by the DMK (59) and AIADMK (47). Vijay has already written to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, seeking an appointment today to stake his claim to form the government.
All eyes are on the Congress (5 seats) and the PMK (4 seats). Sources suggest intense "Plan B" negotiations are underway, with both parties reportedly seeking ministerial berths in exchange for support.
As Vijay heads to the TVK headquarters at 10:00 AM to meet his newly-elected MLAs — including the giant-killers who unseated veteran ministers — the question remains: Can the superstar stitch together a "Rainbow Coalition" to take the oath as Chief Minister? Meanwhile, a shell-shocked DMK is preparing for its new role as the principal opposition after outgoing CM MK Stalin's narrow defeat in Kolathur.
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Stay tuned to our Live Blog for minute-by-minute updates from Raj Bhavan, exclusive insights into alliance deals, and the first reactions from the TVK camp.
Tamil Nadu Government Formation Live: Who Could Be On The New Cabinet?
The composition of the Vijay Cabinet promises to be a radical departure from the status quo, favouring a technocratic and representative mix over old-school patronage. There is palpable expectation that the Cabinet will be younger, more diverse, and more professional than any that came before it, with a pronounced emphasis on Dalit, women, and minority representation.
High-profile names such as KA Sengottaiyan and JCD Prabhakar are expected to provide the necessary experience ballast, while figures such as Aadhav Arjuna, KG Arunraj, and CTR Nirmal Kumar represent the new guard of strategic thinkers.
Tamil Nadu Government Formation Live: "We Will Form The Government", Says TVK Candidate
Rhevanth Charan, the 30-year-old Maduravoyal candidate of TVK, who is set to become one of the youngest MLAs in the state, exuded confidence about the party's prospects of forming the government.
“There is no fear of instability. We will form the government,” Charan told NDTV, while adding that any decision on alliances or support from other parties would be taken by the party's high command. He indicated that clarity on government formation and key dates would be announced soon.
Tamil Nadu Government Formation Live: Possible Outcome
As the single largest party, TVK is likely to be invited by the governor to form the government, even if it begins as a minority administration. Party insiders remain confident of securing outside support.
They point to possible backing from parties currently aligned with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) - including the Congress, which won five seats, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), which have got two seats each.
Tamil Nadu Government Formation Live: Key Highlights From Yesterday's Results
Key Highlights:
- TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member assembly, emerging as the single largest party and comfortably within striking distance of the 118-seat majority with alliance partners.
- MK Stalin loses his seat: The sitting Chief Minister and DMK president was defeated in his own constituency, a result that has sent shockwaves through the party. It is the first time in decades that a sitting Tamil Nadu CM has lost personally.
- DMK reduced to below 60 seats: The ruling party, which had won a massive mandate in 2021, haemorrhaged votes across all regions, particularly in Chennai and the southern districts.
- AIADMK marginalised — Edappadi K. Palaniswami-led AIADMK, which allied with BJP, managed to win only 47 seats, completing the party's long post-Jayalalithaa decline.
- Vijay's winning formula: TVK's campaign focussed heavily on youth unemployment, anti-corruption, and Vijay's mass connect, particularly among first-time voters aged 18–25 who turned out in large numbers.
Tamil Nadu Government Formation Live: What Options Does Vijay Have?
Political analysts are now pointing toward smaller ideological blocs to bridge the gap, suggesting that a multi-party coalition could push Vijay past the threshold. The CPI and CPI(M), holding two seats each, could provide a combined four-seat boost, while the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), with its 2 seats, could potentially also be a critical part of the puzzle.
A coalition comprising TVK (108), Congress (5), CPI (2), CPI(M) (2), and potentially IUML (2) would bring the total to 119 seats, one past the majority mark.
Tamil Nadu Government Formation Live: Potential Alliance With Congress?
Vijay's father has extended an open invitation to the Congress to join a TVK-led alliance, as per media reports.
However, a partnership with Congress alone will not be sufficient to bridge the gap. Congress holds only five seats, which would bring a potential TVK-Congress coalition to 113, still five seats short of the majority mark.