Tamil Nadu CM Suspense: Could Vijay Take the Chief Minister’s Chair?

In the 234-member Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, the majority mark stands at 118, whereas the TVK has secured victory in 108 seats.

Post Published By: Sujata Biswal

Updated : 8 May 2026, 12:51 PM IST

Is Vijay poised to become TN next Chief Minister?

Chennai: Tamil Nadu politics has reached a critical juncture that has plunged the entire state into political turmoil. Thalapathy Vijay-who transitioned from the film industry into politics-and his party, the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), have completely transformed the battle for state power.

Delivering a jolt to the decades-long dominance of the DMK and AIADMK, the TVK has emerged as the single largest party; however, securing the Chief Minister's chair does not appear to be an easy task.

TVK Falls Short of Majority

In the 234-member Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, the majority mark stands at 118, whereas the TVK has secured victory in 108 seats. With the support of 5 MLAs from the Congress party, this tally reaches 113-still falling short of a clear majority. The situation has become even more complex following Vijay's decision to vacate one of the two seats he won, leaving the arithmetic of government formation hanging in the balance.

Political analysts believe that this situation could prove decisive for any party, as every single seat now plays a pivotal role in determining the direction of power.

The Governor's Firm Stance and New Conditions

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar summoned TVK chief Vijay to the Raj Bhavan and made it clear that any claim to form the government would be accepted only upon the submission of concrete proof of an absolute majority. He also demanded a detailed list of all MLAs extending their support. This firm stance taken by the Governor has sparked a fresh debate within political circles.

Alliance Politics and Shifting Equations

A new narrative of coalition politics is currently unfolding in Tamil Nadu. Speculation is rife regarding the emergence of unexpected political equations involving traditional rivals such as the DMK and the AIADMK. According to sources, strategic discussions are reportedly underway between the two parties-at some level-with the specific objective of thwarting the TVK. Concurrently, the role of smaller parties has suddenly become decisive, as they possess the power to tip the scales of power in any direction.