Vijay short of majority, AMMK alleges horse-trading: Tamil Nadu’s power crisis turns ugly

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C Joseph Vijay’s bid to take oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister ran into fresh trouble on Friday, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar declining to invite him to form the government in the absence of a clear majority on paper.

The standoff has pushed Tamil Nadu into a deeper post-poll crisis, four days after a fractured Assembly verdict left TVK as the single-largest party but short of the 118-seat majority mark in the 234-member House.

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Vijay met the Governor at the Lok Bhavan in Chennai and formally staked a claim to form the next government. He submitted letters of support from the Congress, CPI and CPI(M). However, key potential allies, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Indian Union Muslim League, had not submitted written support to the Governor.

Raj Bhavan sources told reporters that Vijay had not been able to demonstrate majority support. “Joseph Vijay has not been able to show that he has majority support. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam currently has the backing of 116 MLAs. There was no formal letter of support from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Indian Union Muslim League or any other party. Hence, he has not been invited to take oath on Saturday or Sunday,” sources said, according to IANS.

Governor waits for clear numbers as TVK pushes claim

TVK won 108 seats in the April 23 Assembly elections. With Congress extending support with five seats and the CPI and CPI(M) adding two seats each, Vijay’s camp has been working to bridge the remaining gap.

Vijay was accompanied by senior TVK leaders N Anand and KA Sengottaiyan during the meeting. KVN Productions founder and Jana Nayagan producer Venkat K Narayana was also present.

Friday’s meeting was described as more cordial than Vijay’s earlier interaction with the Governor on May 6. Vijay greeted Arlekar with “Vanakkam” and presented him with a bouquet and shawl before the talks began.

AMMK alleges horse-trading, TVK denies charge

The political drama sharpened late Friday after AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran met the Governor and alleged that his party MLA-elect Kamaraj had gone missing under suspicious circumstances.

“Our MLA is missing. We suspect this could be a case of horse-trading. We have not been able to contact him, even over the phone. I informed the Governor that the matter must be investigated immediately,” Dhinakaran said, according to IANS.

Dhinakaran claimed Kamaraj had earlier signed a letter supporting AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami’s claim to form the government. He alleged that a separate letter showing AMMK support for TVK was either forged or linked to horse-trading.

TVK rejected the allegation and released a video, saying Kamaraj had voluntarily written a letter extending support to Vijay. The party accused Dhinakaran of spreading misinformation and said it had no need to “bargain or negotiate” with anyone.

#WATCH | TVK shares a video of AMMK MLA Kamaraj, saying “These are the video visuals of AMMK MLA Kamaraj voluntarily and happily writing a letter expressing his support for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. He had stated that he was extending support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam… pic.twitter.com/sM3xtyXx12

— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2026

Congress backs Vijay, attacks rivals

Congress MP Manickam Tagore accused political opponents of trying to block Vijay despite the people’s mandate.

“Power may delay the people’s verdict, but it can never suppress it forever,” Tagore wrote on X, alleging that those defeated by the people were trying to prevent Vijay from becoming Chief Minister.

The Congress, which won five seats, has quit the Secular Progressive Alliance in the state and extended support to TVK. Congress leader S Rajesh Kumar also condemned an alleged violent response by DMK-linked individuals during a Congress protest in Mayiladuthurai against the Governor’s initial decision not to invite Vijay.

With the Governor holding out for written proof of a majority and rival camps trading allegations, Tamil Nadu’s government formation remains locked in uncertainty.