The TVK-led bid to form the Tamil Nadu government gains momentum as Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML back the alliance, producing a potential majority of 120–121 MLAs. The Governor’s invitation and realignment among parties are central to the path forward.
Chennai
-Gaurav Sharma
The struggle over who will lead Tamil Nadu is easing, as TVK chief Vijay reaches the Lok Bhavan in Chennai to stake claim to form the government. With public support letters from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML, the alliance backing TVK now accounts for 121 MLAs in the 234-member Assembly.
The breakthrough came after days of bargaining, when both the VCK and the IUML declared unconditional backing for Vijay’s party. Their decisions followed intense talks since the Tamil Nadu election results, where the Vijay-led TVK finished as the single largest party but still fell short of a simple majority.
TVK chief Vijay is staking claim to form the Tamil Nadu government in Chennai, backed by an alliance including Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML, which claims 121 MLAs in the 234-member Assembly.
Tamil Nadu government formation: TVK numbers, allies and support explained
After the latest commitments, the strength behind TVK in the Tamil Nadu government formation battle stands at 120 MLAs, according to party sources, while another claim puts the tally at 121. The halfway mark is 118. TVK holds 107 MLAs, Congress 5, VCK 2, IUML 2 and the Left Front commands 4 MLAs.
| Party | MLAs backing TVK |
|---|---|
| TVK | 107 |
| Congress | 5 |
| VCK | 2 |
| IUML | 2 |
| Left Front (CPI, CPI(M)) | 4 |
| Total | 120 |
On the political front, AIADMK MLAs met Edappadi K Palaniswami in Chennai as the realignment around the TVK continued. Congress MLAs, meanwhile, stayed in Hyderabad, away from Tamil Nadu, while the leadership pressed the Governor to act on the claimed majority and invite Vijay to form the government.
