Chennai: A day after delivering a seismic electoral upset, Vijay moved swiftly to consolidate power, meeting newly elected MLAs at his Pattinampakkam residence to chart the formation of Tamil Nadu’s next government.
His party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly—toppling the long-dominant Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and pushing the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam to third place. The result marks the first decisive break in the state’s Dravidian duopoly in nearly six decades.
According to reports, Vijay is likely to take oath as Chief Minister on May 7, alongside a compact Cabinet of nine ministers. However, with the party falling 10 seats short of a simple majority, Tuesday’s meeting reportedly focused on coalition strategies to secure the required numbers.
The party has already written to Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar seeking an appointment to initiate government formation. Meanwhile, speculation is growing that the Indian National Congress and smaller allies may extend support to TVK.
According to officials, Vijay is exploring alliances with Congress, Left parties, and regional outfits such as the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, and Indian Union Muslim League. These parties, currently aligned with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, collectively hold enough seats to push TVK past the majority mark if they switch sides.
While the DMK has expressed confidence that its allies will remain loyal, it has remained non-committal on Congress’s stance. Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil stated that any decision would be taken collectively, prioritising Tamil Nadu’s interests.
Among potential ministers, several figures stand out. Anand, a founding member, played a key role in transforming Vijay’s fan base into a political force. Arunraj, a former IRS officer, left service to join TVK. CTR Nirmal Kumar, once with the BJP, contributed strategic insights, while Aadhav Arjuna brought campaign expertise.
Veteran leader KA Sengottaiyan adds experience, while Rajmohan—popularly known as Put Chutney—represents the party’s youth appeal. VS Babu’s victory over incumbent Chief Minister M. K. Stalin marked a major upset, and JCD Prabhakar brings legislative experience.
With alliance talks underway, Vijay’s next move could redefine Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
