'Single Largest Party Denied': TN Congress Protests Against Blocking of TVK’s Govt Formation Bid; Calls Guv 'Puppet' of BJP

New Delhi: The political scene in Tamil Nadu has entered a state of total unpredictability as the post-election fallout deepens. The state is now gripped by a constitutional stalemate that pits a cinematic superstar's political debut against the traditional gatekeepers of power. 

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Vijay, emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats, shattering the decades-old DMK-AIADMK duopoly in Tamil Nadu, however, it is short of the majority mark of 118. 

As Vijay won from two seats (Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East), the actual number of seats in TVK's hand totals to 107 as of now.

In a significant boost to Vijay’s prospects, the Congress has extended its support to the TVK after severing ties with the DMK. With the addition of five Congress MLAs, Vijay’s strength rises to 112, leaving him just six seats short. 

Furthermore, parties including the MNM, IUML, VCK, and the CPI have indicated rare support for the TVK. Should these parties officially join the alliance, Vijay would secure exactly the six additional seats required to prove a majority.

'Magic Number 118'

Amid the political turmoil, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday invited TVK's Vijay to Lok Bhavan, and explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the Government, has not been established.

According to sources, the Governor sought clarity on the "magic number" required for government formation and asked Vijay to furnish details of legislators backing TVK's claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu.

As Congress is now firm in TVK's corner, Arlekar's not callling Vijay to form the government has drawn fiery remarks and allegations from its leaders. Many have alleged that Arlekar is acting on the BJP's whims to stall the due procedure and undermine the Constitution.

Call for statewide protests

Amid the ongoing political instability, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai called for massive protest demonstrations across district headquarters in Tamil Nadu on Friday, at 11 am, to condemn the BJP-led Union Government and the Governor for allegedly acting against the Constitution by attempting to prevent TVK, which emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, from forming the government.

‘Puppet of BJP’

In a statement, Selvaperunthagai accused the Governor of acting as a "puppet" of the BJP-led Central Government and urged all District Congress Committee presidents to organise large-scale protests in their respective districts.

"I kindly request you to organize a massive protest on behalf of the Congress movement in all district headquarters tomorrow (08.05.2026), Friday at 11:00 AM. This is to condemn the central BJP government for acting against the Indian Constitution with the intent of preventing the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam, which emerged as the single largest party, from forming the government, and to condemn the Governor who acts as their puppet," the statement said.

Protest against Tamil Nadu Governor

Tamil Nadu Congress President K Selvaperunthagai said, “We have to protect the Constitution of India...We are protesting against the Governor.”

Congress Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar termed Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's actions as "an attack on democracy, constitution and public mandate" as his party protests against the latter for not inviting TVK Chief Vijay to form the next government despite his party emerging as the single-largest formation in the Assembly elections.

"We are always upholding the constitutional values, democratic values, and our leader, Rahul Gandhi, is fighting to protect this. Today, there is an attack on democracy, the Constitution, public mandate. We have respected the mandate of the people. We cannot backstab the public mandate," he said.

Acting on BJP's behest

Selvaperunthagai earlier said that the single largest party should be invited to form the government, and then a floor test should be conducted in the legislative assembly to prove the majority. He claimed that Arlekar is acting on the directives from the BJP leadership in Delhi.

He said, “The single largest party should be invited to form the government. A floor test follows thereafter. However, he (the Governor) does not wish to adhere to the Indian Constitution. He is acting in accordance with instructions received from the BJP headquarters. This is contrary to the Indian Constitution. The Congress party condemns this. We are very clear that we are supporting the TVK.”

No support from AIADMK

With AIADMK declining support to TVK, Vijay would likely approach smaller parties to cross the majority mark. CPI (M), CPI and VCK secured 2 seats each and are among those who could extend their support to TVK. 

CPI leader Veerapandiyan has confirmed that Vijay had written to the Communist Party of India seeking support to form a "progressive government", adding that an emergency state executive committee meeting has been called for Friday to discuss the matter and take a final decision on extending support.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan has also called on Governor Rajendra Arlekar to invite TMK chief Vijay to form the government and prove his majority on the floor of the house. 

CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby also questioned the delay in the Governor's call to Vijay, and announced that the decision on support would be taken within 24 hours after an opinion is formed in meeting with DMK.

He said, “TVK has been voted as the single largest party. Why is Vijay not being called by the Tamil Nadu Governor to stake his claim? This creates a lot of suspicion. Tamil Nadu Governor should follow democratic convention...My party is a part of DMK alliance, and they are meeting to form an opinion, with a decision to be taken in the next 24 hours.”

All 107 MLAs of Vijay's TVK May Resign

In a latest development, the political turmoil in Tamil Nadu is expected to intensify as there are reports that all newly-elected MLAs of actor-turned-politician Vijay Thalapathy's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) will resign if MK Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) or Edappadi Karuppa Palaniswami-led All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) stakes claim to form government in the state.

Is DMK-AIADMK Alliance Possible?

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) are long-standing rivals, with a history of bitterness between them. However, rumours of an alliance between them started swirling in the state after Vijay failed to prove a majority.

There have been rumours that the two parties might collude to form a government in the state.

If DMK and AIADMK forms an alliance, they could challenge TVK's prospect to form the government. While DMK won 59 seats, AIADMK won 47 seats in the recently-concluded elections. If the two parties tie-up, they will together have 106 MLAs.

Since the majority mark is 118 seat, DMK and AIADMK would need to ally with smaller parties to gain 12 more MLAs. If they achieve this number, they could easily form a government in Tamil Nadu, crushing Vijay's plan for the same.

Is Defection on Cards?

There are reports that 30 out of the 47 newly-elected AIADMK MLAs are likely to defect to support TVK. Several AIADMK MLAs had gathered at Rajya Sabha MP CV Shanmugam’s office in Chennai on Wednesday, signalling support for initiating talks with TVK.

During the meeting, AIADMK leaders discussed whether the party should ally with TVK. Sources indicated resistance from AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, who is reportedly not in favour of an immediate alliance.

Following this resistance, reports of defection of 30 AIADMK MLAs swirled in Tamil Nadu.

Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) “The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Mr Vijay, has won 108 seats. Not inviting him to form the government would amount to disrespecting the mandate of the people of Tamil Nadu. 233 elected members are still unable to take their oaths. This is an insult to the state; it is damage to democracy."

With the battle lines drawn, Tamil Nadu is braced for a weekend of intense political maneuvering. As Vijay attempts to stitch together a majority, the state holds its breath to see who will ultimately seize power.

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