TVK Leader to Lead State’s First Coalition Government Since 1952 Following Support from VCK, IUML, and Congress
CHENNAI – In a historic shift for Tamil Nadu politics, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Saturday formally appointed C. Joseph Vijay, president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), as the Chief Minister-designate. The decision comes after days of political maneuvering following the 2026 Assembly elections, marking the end of a six-decade-long duopoly held by the DMK and AIADMK. +1
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 10, at 10:00 AM at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. High-profile dignitaries, including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, are expected to attend the event.
The Road to Majority
The TVK emerged as the single largest party in the 234-member Assembly with 108 seats, falling just short of the 118-seat majority mark. However, the deadlock was resolved on Saturday when the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) extended “unconditional support” to Vijay’s leadership. +1
With these additional four seats—two each from VCK and IUML—alongside the existing backing from the Congress (5 seats), CPI (2), and CPI(M) (2), the TVK-led coalition’s strength has reached 120 seats. This comfortable margin allows the actor-turned-politician to form the state’s first coalition government since the early 1950s.
Constitutional Process and Cabinet Formation
Governor Arlekar invited Vijay to form the government after a nearly hour-long meeting at the Raj Bhavan, where the TVK chief submitted letters of support from his allies. Under the provisions of Article 164 of the Constitution, the Governor has directed the Chief Minister-designate to seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly on or before May 13, 2026. +1
The upcoming cabinet is expected to reflect the coalition nature of the new administration. Reports indicate that at least one Congress MLA, P. Viswanathan from Melur, is set to be inducted as a minister.
A Paradigm Shift in Dravidian Politics
Vijay’s ascent to the Chief Minister’s office represents a seismic change in the state’s political landscape. Since the late 1960s, Tamil Nadu has been governed almost exclusively by the DMK or the AIADMK. By positioning his party as a direct alternative to the established giants, Vijay has successfully tapped into a voter sentiment seeking a “third way.”
Reflecting on the milestone, Vijay’s father, veteran director S.A. Chandrasekhar, stated, “Finally, the Tamil people have succeeded.”
