The rise of Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam or TVK may spark what has been considered impossible over the last 50 years - an alliance between Dravida arch-rivals DMK and AIADMK - all to keep the actor-politician out of power. Sources have told NDTV that the Udhayanidhi Stalin faction of the DMK fear that Vijay could bring about a re-run of the years under AIADMK's iconic Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, who in his lifetime, had never allowed the DMK to capture power. 

The other half of this arrangement, the AIADMK, is ready to consider it in view of its survival, especially in view of its four successive poll defeats since the death of J Jayalalithaa. And the BJP, which comprises the backroom, is interested in keeping the Congress out of power after its alliance with the TVK, sources said.

Senior lawyer and former Solicitor General Harish Salve has told NDTV that Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar is acting well within constitutional bounds in asking TVK chief Vijay to show he has the numbers to form government.

What is the problem with supporters of Vijay simply putting their backing in writing, Salve said, referring to the latest standoff over gubernatorial discretion that began after Vijay's TVK, even as the single-largest party, was not yet invited to form the government.

"Single-largest party is not what the Constitution talks about. Nobody has a right to be called to form the government. What our Constitution says is you must form a government which enjoys the confidence of the legislature," Salve told NDTV.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday held a meeting with the newly elected MLAs from Tamil Nadu at a private resort near Ariyankuppam on the outskirts of Puducherry.

Nearly 40 legislators were present at the meeting, which lasted nearly one hour.

Party sources said that Palaniswami asked the MLAs-elect to remain united and be patient.

"Good things will emerge and hence you should all remain united and patient in the resort in the next couple of days," he told the MLAs.

The development comes amid TVK's attempts to secure a majority in the 234-member strong Tamil Nadu Assembly. The Congress party, which has 5 MLAs, has already extended support to the TVK.

-PTI

Amid speculations about a possible AIADMK-DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu gaining wind, senior DMK leader and spokeperson TKS Elangovan on Thursday said that the party would follow decisions made by party president MK Stalin about future political moves.

Addressing reporters in DMK HQ after the party MLAs meeting here, Elangovan said, "The party would accept whatever decision Stalin takes regarding future political moves."

He strongly criticised Congress over its decision to distance itself from the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in Tamil Nadu following the conclusion of assembly elections to support the TVK in meeting the majority mark.

-PTI

Actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam or TVK warned this evening that every MLA of the party will resign if either of the two Dravida parties -- MK Stalin's DMK or E Palaniswami's AIADMK -- try to stake claim to form government in Tamil Nadu, sources have said. The decision came on the heels of two crucial meetings in the DMK and AIADMK camps.

All 107 TVK MLAs to resign if DMK, AIADMK try to form government in Tamil Nadu, say sources.

Actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the architect behind the latest election blockbuster in Tamil Nadu, has reached out to one more MLA amid growing uncertainty over government formation. The TVK is learnt to have sought the support of Kamaraj S, the lone winning candidate of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), led by TTV Dhinakaran.

The TVK's move comes amid a stalemate with Governor RV Arlekar, who remains unconvinced that the party can run an administration despite falling short of the required majority. The TVK is confident that it would have the required majority by tomorrow, party insiders say.

Vijay's two-year-old party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), turned out to be a giant slayer in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, winning 108 seats in the 234-member house. It appears, though, the actor-politician had been preparing for this moment much before he formally entered politics.

"While Tamil Nadu is not ready for another election, our primary objective is to establish a stable government in Tamil Nadu. At the same time, we are also forced to consider the need to not give space to communal forces that would undermine the policies of the Dravidian movement," said the DMK.

தி.மு.க. சட்டமன்ற உறுப்பினர்கள் கூட்டம் (07-05-2026) தீர்மானங்கள்
தீர்மானம் : 1
தமிழ்நாட்டு மக்களுக்கும் தோழமை இயக்கங்களுக்கும் நன்றி
நடந்து முடிந்த தமிழ்நாடு சட்டமன்றப் பொதுத் தேர்தலில் திராவிட முன்னேற்றக் கழகம் தலைமையிலான மதச்சார்பற்ற முற்போக்குக் கூட்டணிக் கட்சிகளின்… pic.twitter.com/jN5r8HuX1a

— DMK (@arivalayam) May 7, 2026

DMK calls lack of majority in Tamil Nadu complicated and says its primary aim is to avoid another election. 

The TVK has reached out to AMMK MLA and is expecting a response from the VCK by tomorrow. 

The VCK and Left parties will meet tomorrow to discuss support for Vijay's TVK.

TVK leader CTR Nirmal Kumar on Thursday called on CPI state secretary M Veerapandian and CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam and sought their support in forming a government, emphasising a share in power.

The TVK joint general secretary personally visited the Left party offices here and handed over the letters requesting their support on behalf of the party.

-PTI

Tamil Nadu Governor asks the Director General of Police (DGP) why Vijay was given a convoy. 

Drama continues to roil Tamil Nadu's political landscape over 72 hours after counting of votes from last month's election delivered an inconclusive verdict - an anomaly for the southern state.

Superstar actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam thumped all comers on its poll debut, in a state that has voted in a binary for six decades. The party swept 108 of the state's 234 seats. Dravidian giants Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam - the binary - managed less than 100 between them. But in a twist of fate, the TVK finished just short of the 118-seat majority mark, the magic number for a hassle-free government formation process.

Vijay needs 10 more seats to hit that mark.

And therein lies the challenge.

The trend was started in Tamil Nadu by MG Ramchandran (MGR), who formed AIADMK in 1972

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has hit out at his former ally, the DMK, and said his party suffered because of them. 

"The people have rejected the DMK, and we are also facing the collateral damage," he told NDTV, a day after Congress officially backed the TVK. 

"Because of them, we also lost 17 seats," he added.

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan has said that his party received a request from TVK for support, and the high-level committee of his party will decide whether to support the Vijay-led party to form the government.

"We received the request letter from TVK. We are thankful for that. We have not ignored his (Vijay's) request. We have a procedure. Therefore, our party's high-level committee will decide soon. We are going to discuss the merits and demerits of our position," the VCK leader told reporters.

With regard to the delay in the governor's call to the TVK to form the government, Thirumavalavan requested the governor to invite Vijay to form the government.

"It is a constitutional right and people's verdict," he added.

Asserting that the governor cannot say that Vijay should hold 118 MLAs' support now itself to form the government, he said that after taking over power, Vijay has to prove an absolute majority only on the floor of the Assembly. 

Sources have said that Governor Arlekar has refused to administer the oath of office to TVK leader Vijay under the present circumstances.

“There is no majority for TVK to form a government in Tamil Nadu. Vijay cannot be accepted as Chief Minister without proving majority support," the Lok Bhavan sources told NDTV.

According to sources, Governor Arlekar has decided that Vijay will be sworn in as chief minister only if he proves that he has the required majority.

“If Vijay proves he has the numbers, the governor will invite him to form the government the very next minute,” sources at Lok Bhavan said.

Sources further stated that the governor is firm on ensuring a stable government is formed in Tamil Nadu.

The BJP's Narayanan Thirupathy has rejected the allegations by other political parties that they are "pressuring" the governor.

"It's a fractured verdict, and we all know that TVK did not have a majority and they have to prove it. If he (Vijay) proves that he has a majority, the governor will accept it... How can anyone pressure... Whatever is constitutionally applicable will happen," he told the news agency PTI.

Tamil Nadu governor still not convinced Vijay has the numbers to form government, TVK unlikely to move court right now, sources have told NDTV.

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has said that not inviting Vijay to form the government amounts to "disrespecting the mandate".

"My brother, Mr MK Stalin, has announced, "We respect the people's verdict; we will function as a responsible opposition." I respect his political maturity. Those currently in constitutional positions must now fulfill the same duty. This is not a demand, but a reminder of their constitutional obligation," he wrote on X.

"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," Haasan, who heads the Makkal Needhi Maiam, posted in Tamil.

He said the verdict of the people of Tamil Nadu "must be respected".

🔴#BREAKING | NDTV accesses exclusive visuals of pro-Vijay AIADMK MLAs in Puducherry resort
NDTV's @DharanVija47684 joins @ShivAroor with more details pic.twitter.com/0WMzXxOfCc

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 7, 2026

TVK chief Vijay's meeting with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Lok Bhavan has concluded after about an hour. This was Vijay's second visit to the Lok Bhavan within 24 hours.

#WATCH | Chennai | TVK Chief Vijay leaves from Lok Bhavan after meeting Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar pic.twitter.com/ygxHkVNi4q

— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2026

"How will you form the government with 113 MLAs? How can you assure you will prove majority after taking the oath," Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has asked Vijay, sources told NDTV.

He also asked him about the other parties that will support the TVK government.

"Can action be taken merely based on the assumption that majority support will eventually come," he asked Vijay.

Zoho's co-founder Sridhar Vembu has said that the DMK, AIADMK and other parties letting Vijay's TVK form the new government will be the "smartest move".

"If no solution is found and fresh polls arrive, Vijay will win a super-majority," he said on X, while sharing NDTV's report that DMK's MK Stalin has urged parties to let Vijay form the government.

Respecting the mandate and letting @TVKVijayHQ form the government is the smartest move for DMK, AIADMK and other parties.
If no solution is found and fresh polls arrive, @TVKVijayHQ will win a super-majority. https://t.co/kVeKKJL3Tz

— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) May 7, 2026

"Vijay should be allowed to take oath," said Thol Thirumavalavan, founder-president of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) as alleged that Tamil Nadu governor is blocking TVK chief from taking Chief Minister's oath.

Calling it "not acceptable", Thirumavalavan added that Vijay does not have to prove majority in Lok Bhavan.

"Vijay can prove numbers in state assembly," he added.

Will TVK be able to prove the numbers to finally claim stake to form government in Tamil Nadu?
NDTV's @ShivAroor & @Vasudha156 decode the details pic.twitter.com/DY2p1NNLnF

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 7, 2026

Sources in Lok Bhavan have told NDTV that Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has called Vijay to his residence.

Sources said that it was not Vijay who sought a meeting with the governor. The governor has asked Vijay whether he has been able to add more MLAs to the list submitted yesterday.

Yesterday, when Vijay met Governor Arlekar, he was unable to provide the list of 118 MLAs required to stake claim to form the next government.

The governor is now asking Vijay whether he has been able to secure additional support to cross the majority mark.

The DMK has convened a meeting of its newly elected MLAs-designate at Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters in Chennai, on Thursday evening under its president MK Stalin.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of its once-trusted ally, the Congress, announcing a post-poll alliance with the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

The DMK, which managed to win only 59 seats in the April 23 election, is expected to elect the party youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin as the legislature party leader and also focus on its role as the opposition party in the Assembly, the news agency PTI reported, citing a source in the party.

Vijay has reached Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's residence to meet him and convince him that he has the numbers to form the new government.

Sources in the TVK have said that they are "confident of proving their numbers" during the meeting between Vijay and the Tamil Nadu Governor.

TVK chief Vijay to meet Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at 11 AM today, sources said.

The AIADMK has dismissed reports of any rebellion, insisting that 'all is well' within the party and claiming the MLAs were only moved to prevent alleged poaching attempts by the TVK.

AIADMK sources told NDTV the confusion - over factions backing the TVK - arose because party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami initially remained silent on support to Vijay.

That silence, sources admitted, fuelled speculation of some supporting Vijay.

The same sources said EPS had now clearly conveyed the party's stand against support for the TVK and that all party MLAs had fallen in line with his decision.

Fresh political drama has unfolded in Tamil Nadu as a group of more than a dozen newly elected AIADMK MLAs, believed to be favouring support for actor Vijay’s TVK, have been shifted to a resort in Puducherry, triggering speculation of an internal revolt against AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, popularly known as EPS.

AIADMK sources alleged that the resort stay was arranged by senior party leader and former minister CV Shanmugam, though he denied engineering the move.

Sources said the MLAs staying at the Puducherry resort are mounting pressure on EPS to support TVK in government formation. However, EPS is said to have firmly opposed extending support to Vijay’s party, making the episode appear like an open rebellion within the AIADMK ranks.

🔴#BREAKING | Possible split in AIADMK over support for TVK after CV Shanmugam shifted pro-Vijay AIADMK MLAs to resort in Puducherry
NDTV's @DharanVija47684 joins @reetksahni with more details pic.twitter.com/C8jDDWApFc

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 7, 2026

VIDEO | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Security outside TVK leader Vijay's residence scaled down.
TVK chief Vijay on Wednesday met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and staked a claim to form the government in the state after the Congress, in a major political shift and… pic.twitter.com/MN8g2j2wKv

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 7, 2026

Zoho's co-founder Sridhar Vembu has called for "fresh elections" in Tamil Nadu amid reports that actor-politician Vijay's TVK does not have the numbers yet to form the government.

"The numbers don't seem to add up. Whatever government is cobbled together is likely to be unstable with various pulls and pressures. Tamil Nadu deserves better," Vembu posted on X.

"President's rule with fresh elections may be the best course, this time with a very strict "no cash for votes" enforcement. Then we will see who has the real mandate. 

"I think Vijay will come back with a super majority and if the DMK-AIADMK want to stop that, let them fight together. The BJP should fight alone, even if it leads to zero seats, time for a fresh start for the BJP in TN. Let the people decide afresh," Vembu said.

The numbers don't seem to add up. Whatever government is cobbled together is likely to be unstable with various pulls and pressures. Tamil Nadu deserves better.
President's rule with fresh elections may be the best course, this time with a very strict "no cash for votes"…

— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) May 7, 2026

AIADMK moved MLAs to resort in Puducherry, to stay there for two days.

Congress's Karti Chidambaram told NDTV today that the "backstabber" tag from the DMK following the Grand Old Party's decision to form an alliance with Vijay is "unfair criticism". The DMK, upset at the Congress decision, has called off the alliance that has been in place since 2004. Chidambaram said while he respected the ties with DMK, the people's mandate this time demanded that Vijay be allowed to form government and not giving him the necessary support would have led to a stalemate.

Vijay's TVK is the number one party by a mile in a hung verdict and needs to have the chance to prove its numbers on the floor of the house. He ought to have been sworn in as planned tomorrow (May 7); a delay is both unfair and needs to be questioned sharply. The optics of delaying Vijay's swearing-in will not go down well in Tamil Nadu.

Forty-two years ago, Vijay stepped in front of the camera for the first time. It was in his father SA Chandrasekhar's Tamil movie Vetri. The actor, who made his screen debut at the age of 9 in 1984, is set to form the government in Tamil Nadu after his political party TVK won the recent state Assembly polls.

Perhaps it was all meant to be.

Vetri followed Tamil star Vijaykanth's character Vijay, a college student who is accused of murdering his professor. Vijay, who was a child actor at the time, played the younger version of Vijaykanth's Vijay in the crime action film.

It's fitting that Vetri is the middle name of TVK, whose full name is Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The spelling may be slightly different, but the meaning of the word is what matters.

The Tamil word 'vetri' means "victory" or "success" in English. Vijay's name also means victory. So, the equation is simple: Vetri = Victory = Vijay.

The incremental budget for programmes announced by the TVK in Tamil Nadu is estimated to be Rs 87,900 crore or 2.2 per cent of the GSDP, according to Emkay Research. 

 Senior DMK leader T R Baalu on Wednesday alleged that the Congress, which joined hands with TVK to form a government in Tamil Nadu, has "betrayed" the people who voted for them.

His remarks came hours after the Congress, a long-time ally of the DMK, announced its support to actor-politician Vijay's TVK and severed ties with the Dravidian major.

"It (Congress) has betrayed the people who voted believing a DMK-led government would be formed," Baalu said in a statement.

- PTI

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Deputy Coordinator KP Munusamy on Wednesday denied the alliance with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, asserting that the "party would not support TVK" chief Vijay in any situation.

Speaking to reporters here, Munusamy said, "Whatever the situation is, AIADMK will not support TVK."

TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member assembly and is ten short of the majority mark. With Vijay also to step down from one of the two seats he won in the assembly polls, the effective strength of TVK in the assembly will become 107.

- ANI

For the defeated Stalin, this verdict is almost a reminder of the misfortune that beset his father, who was brought down by Jayalalithaa in 1991, 2001 and 2011. Except that his father never lost an assembly seat.

"TVK has won 108 seats and needs another 10 to 12 to comfortably cross the majority mark. The Congress is very particular that secular forces stand together," said Congress leader Christopher Tilak.

An upset DMK has hit out at the Congress, its all-weather ally at the centre, over its decision to tie up with actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Being a two-year-old party in Tamil Nadu, the TVK had achieved the impossible--ending the DMK-AIADMK duopoly in the state and removing the MK Stalin-led party from power. But just 10 seats shy of a majority, it had reached out to other parties in the state for support.  

The DMK has called the Congress's move to back the TVK an "act of betrayal" -- one that would make the Congress part of the government in Tamil Nadu after six long decades.

Recounting how it has stood by the Congress through thick and thin, the DMK accused it of being "opportunists."

In Tamil Nadu, TVK's rise comes from drawing significant support away from both DMK and ADMK.

Drama is unfolding in Tamil Nadu politics by the hour. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay may not take the oath tomorrow as the Tamil Nadu Governor is not convinced his party has the number yet to form the government, according to sources. The TVK, which emerged as the single-largest party winning 108 seats, needed at least 10 seats to hit the majority mark of 118.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar could emerge as the constitutional figure presiding over one of the most dramatic transitions in Tamil politics. In March 2026, Arlekar was given additional charge as Governor of Tamil Nadu while continuing as Kerala Governor. The move instantly drew political attention because Tamil Nadu is entering a volatile political phase after the gradual weakening of the old Dravidian giants.

The ground-breaking victory of actor-politician Vijay in the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls -- which falls just short of majority -- has started a mad scramble for numbers. It has already split the vintage Congress-DMK alliance and now, with a sizable chunk of the AIADMK MLAs demanding that the party extend support to Vijay, another north-south alliance could be on the rocks too.

Vijay has made it clear that he wants his alliance to be secular. So while the AIADMK is an option for alliance partner, the party gets disqualified because of its alliance with the BJP. 

Sources today said around 30 of AIADMK's 47 MLAs are in favour of joining hands with Vijay, but party chief E Palaniswami is reluctant.

The Governor of Tamil Nadu has dissolved the 16th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly with effect from 5th May 2026: Lok Bhavan.

Governor of Tamil Nadu has dissolved the 16th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly with effect from 5th May 2026: Lok Bhavan pic.twitter.com/C4NgizLU3t

— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2026

Senior Congress leader Karti Chidambaram on Wednesday said there were voices within his party favouring an alliance with actor-turned-politician Vijay's TVK even before the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

"There were voices within the party that mooted an alliance with TVK before the elections. There is no doubt about that," Karti told PTI Videos.

However, he said the party leadership, after consulting all stakeholders, decided to continue its alliance with the DMK.

"Many felt that the long-standing relationship with the DMK has to be respected," he said, adding, "We want a secular government, and there can be no compromise on that." Claiming that the TVK leader had reached out to the Congress, he said the party had reciprocated positively and responded by extending support for the formation of the government in Tamil Nadu.

- PTI

The Congress has ditched ally DMK and extended its support to actor Vijay, whose Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has delivered a political blockbuster by sweeping the Tamil Nadu elections. The support being conditional, the Congress has demanded that the TVK keeps out the "communal forces that do not believe in the Constitution."

The alliance isn't just limited to government formation in Tamil Nadu, the party said, stressing that it would cover future elections ranging from the local bodies to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The DMK has dubbed the Congress move an act of betrayal. The Congress, however, argues that it stands with the public mandate and has taken this step to keep the BJP out of Tamil Nadu.

The move, however, was not sudden; the groundwork for it had been laid over the past few months.

The Congress on Wednesday rejected allegations that it had "backstabbed" its long-time ally DMK for power by supporting the TVK, saying it never sought any post when their alliance was ruling Tamil Nadu and even the DMK had parted ways with it in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

"This cannot be called backstabbing," the Congress' media and publicity chairperson, Pawan Khera, said and asked "what is the issue" if like-minded parties were forming the government in the state.

Speaking to PTI videos, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Anadurai said, "The Congress party has decided to ally with the TVK, pledging their support to the party. I think they have backstabbed... They have backstabbed the people of Tamil Nadu. They've backstabbed the mandate given by the people of Tamil Nadu." 

Asked about the DMK's sharp comments, Khera said, "I would like to take you back to December 2013, when DMK at a press conference announced that they will fight the Lok Sabha polls alone." "It was their democratic right, and they did so. Did you ask them if this was backstabbing. This cannot be called backstabbing," Khera said at a press conference here.

- PTI

Tamil Nadu Governor not convinced Vijay has majority, he may not take oath tomorrow: Sources

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi on Wednesday told NDTV that their allies have the "right to decide what they think is right", a statement that came shortly before Congress announced to back actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the next government.

TVK chief Vijay has staked claim to form the next government in Tamil Nadu in a meeting with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar today. The governor is, however, not convinced Vijay's TVK has the number yet to form the government, sources said, explaining the formal position as of now though the Congress has promised support and others are also expected to join.  

His party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which emerged as the single-largest party after the assembly election, needed at least 10 seats to hit the majority mark of 118. With the Congress's five, the number rose to 112, excluding one of the two seats that Vijay won - leaving the TVK with a gap of six seats to fill till the finishing line. 

The next obvious step is for Vijay to prove his government's majority in the house.

Sources in the Tamil Nadu Governor's house told NDTV that TVK leader Vijay was not able to prove that he had the support of 118 MLAs, which is required to be able to form the next government. 

The TVK will have to go the extra mile to deliver the goods, over and above the DMK's slew of welfarist measures that were generally comfortable, but not enough for the voter who simply said, 'Yeh Dil Maange More'.

Theatres in the South turned into celebration zones after videos surfaced online showing a new title card for Vijay's upcoming film, Jana Nayagan.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay recently scripted history with his political debut. His party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, securing 108 seats.

Amid this, clips shared on X showed the new Jana Nayagan title card that reads: "Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu C. Joseph Vijay in Jana Nayagan." 

"TVK leader Vijay has written a letter to the All India Congress Committee seeking support. Following this, leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, our organisation's general secretary KC Venugopal have arrived in Chennai from Delhi," said Congress MP Vijay Vasanth.

Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu | Congress MP Vijay Vasanth says, “TVK leader Vijay has written a letter to the All India Congress Committee seeking support. Following this, leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, our organisation’s general secretary K. C.… pic.twitter.com/TQQVYiLC0l

— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2026

"We met Mr Vijay, and gave him the letter of support. He spoke to Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi on the phone, thanked them and invited them for the swearing-in tomorrow," said Praveen Chakravarthy, Congress leader. 

#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: After meeting with the TVK chief Vijay, Congress leader Praveen Chakravarthy says, "We met Mr Vijay, and gave him the letter of support. He spoke to Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi on the phone, thanked them and invited them for the swearing-in… pic.twitter.com/6r6APme2sJ

— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2026

TVK chief Vijay meets Tamil Nadu Governor and stakes claim to form the next government. 

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi on Wednesday told NDTV that their allies have the "right to decide what they think is right", a statement that came shortly before Congress announced to back actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the next government.

The Congress has said it would back Vijay's TVK, the newly formed party which made a blockbuster debut in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections but failed to get the majority, considering the alliance doesn't have "communal forces that do not believe in the Constitution of India". DMK's other allies, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), have also been approached by Vijay for support.

"We've won many elections together. Today we've lost an election together, and I think every party has a right to decide what they think is right. I don't have anything to say about others, but of course we will continue our fight," Kanimozhi told NDTV.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be attending TVK chief Vijay's swearing-in ceremony - which is likely to be held tomorrow.

First on NDTV | As preparations are underway at the Nehru stadium in Chennai for TVK chief Vijay to take oath tomorrow, here's a ground report from NDTV's @ShivAroor pic.twitter.com/JEU56hSjPT

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 6, 2026

Superstar Rajinikanth met MK Stalin in Chennai.

🔴#BREAKING | Superstar Rajinikanth meets DMK chief MK Stalin pic.twitter.com/RHT72WvLg5

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 6, 2026

Vijay met Congress leaders at his party headquarters in Chennai.

Congress leaders, including Girish Chodankar and Praveen Chakravarthy, have reached the TVK headquarters in Chennai, shortly after the party extended support to Vijay to form the government in the state.

Preparations underway at Nehru Stadium ahead of TVK chief Vijay's oath ceremony likely to be held tomorrow.

#NDTVExclusive | Preparations underway in Nehru Stadium ahead of TVK chief Vijay's oath ceremony likely to be held tomorrow@jsamdaniel pic.twitter.com/I7TzVQq74U

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 6, 2026

The Tamil Nadu assembly election delivered results that caught many observers off guard. Among the biggest surprises was the impressive showing of the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), founded in February 2024 by actor-turned-politician Vijay. While exit polls had suggested that the party could make an impact, few anticipated the scale of its success. The results reaffirmed the enduring influence of the "actor factor" in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.

In its very first assembly election, the TVK emerged as the single-largest party, securing 108 of the 234 seats and dramatically reshaping the state's political equation. The DMK, which had dominated the 2021 elections, suffered a sharp decline, finishing with 58 seats, while the AIADMK won 47 seats. The remaining constituencies were split among smaller parties and independents. This marked a decisive break from the long-standing DMK-ADMK duopoly that has defined Tamil Nadu politics for decades.

Vijay will be meeting the Tamil Nadu Governor this evening to stake a claim to government, sources told NDTV.

The Governor said that Vijay told him he has a majority to form the government.

Congress has extended a conditional support to Vijay's TVK to form a government in Tamil Nadu. According to the Congress, their support is condition upon the TVK "keeping out from this alliance any communal forces" that do not believe in the Constitution of India.

"The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) has decided to extend its full support to the TVK to form the government. This alliance between the TVK and the Tamil Nadu Congress will strive to bring back Perunthalaivar Kamaraj's glory days of Tamil Nadu," it said.

The party added, "This alliance - founded on mutual respect, appropriate share, and shared responsibility between the two parties - is not only for the formation of this government, but also for future elections to the local body organisations, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha."

- After a stunning electoral victory in the Tamil Nadu elections, Vijay is likely to become the Chief Minister

- Newly elected MLAs of the TVK party held a meeting on Tuesday and formally elected Vijay as their Legislature Party Leader

- Vijay expected to meet Tamil Nadu Governor today

- The TVK chief is likely to take the oath alone tomorrow

Vijay's TVK has reached out to the AIADMK for support as the party is falling short of just 10 seats to form a majority, sources said.

According to sources, TVK functionaries have met Edappadi Palaniswami at his residence.

Congress leaders hail the party leadership ahead of party meeting following Tamil Nadu election results. Congress has extended support to TVK in the state.

The party's state incharge, Girish Chodankar, is set to address the media shortly.

#WATCH | Chennai | Congress leaders hail the party leadership ahead of party meeting following Tamil Nadu election results. As per the party sources, Congress has extended support to TVK in the state.
The party's state incharge, Girish Chodankar, is set to address the media… pic.twitter.com/x5bHGrw5NV

— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2026

Vijay is likely to meet the Tamil Nadu Governor today to stake a claim to the government, sources said. He is likely to take oath tomorrow alone, sources added.

AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan, responding to a question on his party supporting Vijay's TVK, said the "ball is in Vijay's court".

"He has to take a conscious decision whether he wants to complete the five-year term or try to do some exercises of taking many more parties into confidence. The Governor has asked for clarity on the number of MLAs in the TVK camp. Developments are happening," he said.

#WATCH | Chennai | "The ball is in Mr Vijay's court, and he has to take a conscious decision," says AIADMK National Spokesperson Kovai Sathyan, on being asked if his party will support TVK in gaining majority
"The ball is in Mr Vijay's court, and he has to take a conscious… pic.twitter.com/mXTLs3aLyz

— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2026

After Congress backs Vijay's TVK, the actor-turned-politician has written to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief seeking its support to form a government.

From Congress' formal backing of TVK to AIADMK being split over its support - A look at what can be expected next in Tamil Nadu.

From Congress' formal backing of TVK to AIADMK being split over its support - What can be expected?
NDTV's @jsamdaniel & @dpkBopanna share more details pic.twitter.com/gjuv8CWCUk

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 6, 2026

BJP leader Tamilisai Soundarajan said Vijay's big win in Tamil Nadu is not only an effect of a 'Vijay wave' but also an "anti-wave against MK Stalin, the misgovernance of the DMK, and the highly disturbed law-and-order situation".

"Vijay has made his mark in one shot. He achieved significant numbers, even though he fell short by 10. He will receive support, and he should run a good government," he said.

Sandalwood superstar Shivaraj Kumar, while speaking to NDTV, congratulated Vijay on his big win in Tamil Nadu.

According to Kumar, he was never surprised with the results.

He also said he was impressed with Vijay and his plans for changes in education in Tamil Nadu, adding that he would "surely" try to attend the swearing-in  ceremony if he is invited.

AIADMK is split over party backing Vijay's TVK, sources have said. Watch more details:

🔴#BREAKING | AIADMK split over party backing TVK, as per sources
NDTV's @jsamdaniel joins @ParmeshwarBawa with more details pic.twitter.com/55C2wboAsc

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 6, 2026

Visuals from outside the residence of TVK chief Vijay.

#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Visuals from outside the residence of TVK Chief & winning candidate from Perambur Assembly constituency, Vijay.
TVK won 108 out of 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, becoming the single-largest party. pic.twitter.com/ZJ8ngj0gWD

— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2026

"Backstabbers", was how DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai described Congress in an exclusive interview with NDTV. He, however, bypassed a question on whether party chief MK Stalin shared the sentiment.

The five seats the Congress got in this election was because the party aligned with the DMK. "Otherwise, they would have drawn a blank at the recent polls," Saravanan said.

Further, indicating that Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam or TVK  is close to the BJP, he questioned the advisability of a tie-up with the party. 

Actor Vijay's two-year-old TVK has emerged as the single largest party in Tamil Nadu with 108 seats -- just 11 short of the majority mark. The party is confident of forming government with outside support. It has already refused BJP support on ideological grounds and has cast DMK as the villain.

Congress has decided to back actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), following the new party's massive win in the assembly election that jolted the southern state's politics by breaking the DMK and AIADMK's traditional duopoly.

Confirming the decision to NDTV, Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil said, "Yes, the Political Affairs Committee has authorised the TNCC to support TVK in government formation."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was clearly in favor of supporting TVK, but Congress President Kharge wanted the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee to make this decision instead of the Delhi leaders, sources said. A late-night virtual meeting of the Congress Political Affairs Committee authorised the Tamil Nadu unit to back TVK's government formation.

According to sources, Congress is expecting two ministerial positions in Vijay's government. Congress leaders Girish Chodankar and Praveen Chakraborty are in contact with TVK leaders, they added. However, the party had placed a key precondition - TVK must not align with the NDA or its allies, including the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

Actor-turned-politician Vijay, who made a blockbuster debut in politics by breaking the DMK and AIADMK's traditional duopoly, is likely to form a government as early as May 7, sources said. The TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member assembly, falling short of the majority mark of 118.