The Beast suit looks the part; now be the beast, chief minister

The Beast suit looks the part; now be the beast, chief minister 

STORYBOARD ARUN RAM 18.05.2026

Chief minister C Joseph Vijay has kept the black ‘Beast’ suit on. And the sartorial symbolism matters: he is different. Yet symbolism can only open the door; governance must walk through it. Tamil Nadu today is not merely watching what Vijay does; it is watching whom he chooses to do it with. A full cabinet is yet to take shape, and political pressure is mounting. 

The trickiest pressure comes from the AIADMK faction led by C Ve Shanmugam and S P Velumani, reportedly seeking at least half a dozen ministerial berths. For Vijay, this is more than coalition arithmetic. It threatens to strike at the heart of his political brand. He did not arrive in office as a veteran administrator promising incremental change. He came as an outsider with a language of renewal. His campaign rested heavily on two intertwined promises: clean governance and a break from cynical politics.

 People voted not just for a new govt but for a different political culture. That promise risks early dilution if cabinet formation begins by yielding to pressure groups with tainted faces. Vijay must ask himself a difficult yet necessary question: can a govt elected on the promise of clean governance afford even the appearance of compromise at birth? The answer may determine whether his tenure acquires moral authority or merely administrative power. 

The larger challenge is corruption itself. Anti-corruption politics in India often collapses into spectacle — raids, headlines, accusations against rivals and dramatic speeches. Citizens encounter corruption not in headlines but in queues — at the village office, municipal counter, taluk office, registration department and police station. They meet it while seeking a birth certificate, a land patta, a building approval, an electricity connection or a welfare benefit. This is where Vijay’s anti-corruption mission must begin. 

The govt should launch a cleanup mission beginning at the lowest administrative level. Every govt service application should be digitised and trackable. Citizens must know where a file sits, why it is delayed and whom to approach if timelines are breached. Govt offices must display mandatory service timelines and grievance escalation systems. Anonymous public feedback should be encouraged. Officers repeatedly facing complaints should face departmental scrutiny. Corruption survives not because rules are absent but because consequences are rare. 

Reform cannot stop at the clerk’s desk. Tamil Nadu’s deeper corruption challenge lies at the other end of the pyramid — in procurement and contracts. Kickbacks for infrastructure projects and civic contracts have become so institutionalised that whispers of protest among contractors are often about the hike in percentage. Citizens may not know the technical details of tenders, but they instinctively understand when contracts appear opaque or politically favoured. And, when the blacktop of a newly laid road peels off, it exposes the gravel of graft. 

Every govt contract should be placed in the public domain with tender details, competing bids and award rationale accessible online. Independent procurement oversight, periodic third-party audits and transparent disclosure of project costs and timelines can restore public trust. A chief minister serious about fighting corruption should insist that sunlight, not secrecy, governs public spending. This may discomfort many people in the system who nurse the dream of continuing with their corrupt ways once the new govt gets over its celebratory phase. 

That’s when Vijay should remind them what he said after taking the oath on May 10: “Erase that thought right this minute.” Dismantling corruption requires more than personal honesty at the top; it demands institutional redesign. Vijay begins office with advantages most leaders envy — enormous goodwill, emotional connection with supporters and the political capital of novelty. But novelty fades quickly in politics. Govts are remembered not for the excitement of arrival but for the discipline of decision-making. Like the chief minister’s attire, governance should be in black and white. - 

arun.ram@timesofindia.com 

POKER FACE DMK will never understand reality – C JOSEPH VIJAY , TAMIL NADU CHIEF MINISTER You will. Soon 

18/05/2026, 06:21 Times of India ePaper chennai - Read Today’s English News Paper Online https://epaper.indiatimes.com/timesepaper/publication-the-times-of-india,city-chennai.cms 2/3 18/05/2026, 06:21 Times of India ePaper chennai - Read Today’s English News Paper Online

The Real Reason Jayalalithaa 'Humiliated' Vijay In 2013 — And Why It Makes His 2026 Oath Extraordinary

Published By :

• News Desk
• News18 Cities

Edited By:

• Sumedha Kirti

Last Updated:May 11, 2026, 13:01 IST

Jayalalithaa put him in the back row in 2013. He returned to the same stadium as Chief Minister in 2026. Tamil Nadu's best revenge takes time — but always lands.

She compared herself to Draupadi after her 2013 humiliation and returned as CM. Then she did it to Vijay. He said nothing. He, too, came back.

In 2013, Tamil Nadu’s most powerful politician humiliated its biggest film star at a stadium in Chennai — gave him a back-row seat, like he didn’t matter. Thirteen years later, that same film star walked into that same stadium as Chief Minister. Some stories write themselves. This one took a decade.

The occasion was the Centenary Celebrations of Indian Cinema — a grand, glittering event attended by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Vijay arrived, already unhappy. His film Thalaivaa had faced serious release problems and nobody — not the industry, not the state government — had stood by him. He came anyway, half-heartedly.

What happened next became industry legend. While actors of his age and stature were seated in the front rows, Vijay was given a seat at the very back. He was silent, sitting alone — until Chiyaan Vikram, who had been given a front-row seat, chose to walk back and sit beside him. Aishwarya Rajinikanth followed. Vijay said nothing. He did not complain. But Tamil Nadu noticed.

advertisement

Was This Deliberate — And Why Did Jayalalithaa Do It?

Almost certainly. By publicly humiliating Vijay at such a high-profile event, Jayalalithaa was sending a message — discouraging his political ambitions at a time when he was still primarily a film star, preventing him from gaining a foothold in her domain.

Tamil Nadu had already seen one actor — MGR — storm the political establishment through sheer mass adulation.

Jayalalithaa, who had learned the game under MGR herself, knew exactly what a back-row seat could communicate. In Tamil Nadu’s cultural context, where film stars are often revered, the act of being publicly sidelined was a symbolic slap.

Does Tamil Nadu Have A History of Humiliation Fuelling Political Comebacks?

Remarkably, yes — and the parallel closest to home is Jayalalithaa herself. In 1989, Jayalalithaa was allegedly assaulted inside the Tamil Nadu Assembly — her saree and hair pulled amid violent chaos between DMK and AIADMK members.

Walking out in tears, she compared herself to Draupadi from the Mahabharata and vowed she would never return to the Assembly except as Chief Minister.

Two years later, she won the 1991 election and kept that vow. The woman who weaponised humiliation to fuel her own rise used the same weapon on Vijay — and created the same fire.

The entire stadium erupted when Vijay began his speech as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu — at the very same Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium where he had once sat silently in the last row. Jayalalithaa gave him a back seat in 2013. He took the head seat in 2026. In Tamil Nadu politics, it seems, the best revenge is always a long time coming — and always spectacular when it arrives.

CM Vijay, Udhayanidhi spar on social media

CM Vijay, Udhayanidhi spar on social media 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  14.05.2026

Chennai : Hours after the assembly session was adjourned sine die, chief minister C Joseph Vijay and former deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin were involved in a war of words on social media. While Vijay mocked DMK for not getting the majority in 2006, Udhayanidhi responded, saying that DMK was not involved in a postpoll alliance or horse trading despite not having enough MLAs back then. 

Vijay issued a statement on X in response to the remarks made by Udhayanidhi in the assembly earlier in the day that TVK lacked people’s support as it does not have majority. Vijay said DMK was repeating “old, stale and sour arguments” by claiming TVK lacked public support. 

“DMK will never understand reality,” he said. Vijay said TVK secured 34.92% vote share while contesting alone now, against DMK’s standalone vote share of 24.19%. Referring to the 2006 election when DMK had only 96 MLAs and formed minority govt with support of allies, Vijay made a sarcastic remark that ‘DMK won all 234 seats with 100% votes from people.’ 

“People of Tamil Nadu must have smirked recalling the single majority govt formed by DMK in 2006,’’ he said. 

Udhayanidhi hit back at Vijay, saying the party did not attempt to form a postpoll alliance or indulge in “horse-trading” to capture power even when it did not have majority, unlike TVK. Udhayanidhi said Vijay became chief minister with the support of parties and votes that were “rejected” by the people. Drawing a comparison with the 2006 DMK regime, he said that govt was formed with the support of alliance partners and not by “buying MLAs, engineering defections or splitting parties”. DMK accepted the people’s verdict and chose to sit in the opposition benches, he said. 

“We did not visit Lok Bhavan everyday out of desperation for power,” he said. He said DMK may have lost the election, but forcing TVK to continue the Dravidian model welfare schemes itself was “a victory for the opposition.”

CM Vijay breaks ice with oppn on 1st day

CM Vijay breaks ice with oppn on 1st day 

TIMES OF INDIA AHAMEDABAD. 12.05.2026

Chennai : Change was at the core of TVK president C Joseph Vijay’s election campaign. After his first day in assembly as chief minister on Monday, he signalled a pleasant change in political civility by visiting DMK president M K Stalin and other party leaders in their respective homes, reports Ram Sundaram . 

The warm gesture that brought smiles across party lines came a day after Vijay criticising the previous govt for accumulating huge debt and leaving the state treasury “empty”. The day started with a‘cold war’ as DMK legislative party leader Udhayanidhi Stalin did not even look at Vijay. Hours later, however, as Vijay walked into Stalin’s Cenotaph Road house, at the door was Udhayanidhi, waiting to receive the special guest with a hug. 

The CM and his predecessor, too embraced, marking a positive deviation from bitterness that had marked TN politics for long. Holding his hand, Stalin took Vijay to the visitor’s room where they spoke for about 15 minutes. Udhayanidhi, who was seated next to Vijay, gifted the CM a book titled ₹Kaalathin Niram Karuppu Sivappu,’ a collection of essays on DMK’s history and Dravidian ideology. 

While TVK general secretary N Anand accompanied Vijay; senior DMK leaders were present at Stalin’s house. Later, Stalin described the meeting as a gesture of political courtesy. “I extended to him my heartfelt congratulations as well as my advice,” he posted on X. The meeting marked the first known instance since 1967 of a newly sworn-in Tamil Nadu chief minister visiting a former chief minister at his residence immediately after assuming office.

‘Kingmaker Thiruma almost became king’

‘Kingmaker Thiruma almost became king’ 

DMK, AIADMK Backed Him As CM, say VCK Sources

 Julie.Mariappan@timesofindia.com 12.05.2026

Chennai : While TVK was awaiting the crucial support of VCK on Saturday, the dalit party’s leader Thol Thirumavalavan was a breath away from being propped up as chief minister, VCK sources said. The proposal of Thirumavalavan as CM – reportedly supported by DMK and AIADMK – surfaced late on Friday night amid political uncertainty and negotiations over govt formation after the assembly election verdict threw up a fractured mandate. 

According to VCK leaders, the discussions gathered pace when Thirumavalavan, accompanied by senior party functionaries, visited Stalin’s house on Friday night. By then, CPI and CPM were working on formalizing their support for Vijay. “At that point, the DMK leadership conveyed that it was open to Thirumavalavan becoming chief minister,” said a VCK functionary. 

“Talks with AIADMK leadership were also progressing in that direction.” Sources said that until then, sections within the AIADMK leadership had been exploring a postpoll powersharing formula with DMK to keep TVK out of office. Former deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was believed to have played a key role in exploring the feasibility of such an arrangement centred around Thirumavalavan. 

After the Left parties announced their support to TVK, Thirumavalavan postponed a scheduled press conference on Saturday morning, triggering speculation if the party was reconsidering its options. The VCK chief eventually handed over the party’s letter of unconditional support to TVK functionary Aadhav Arjuna at a private hotel around 4pm. Even after this, efforts continued from the AIADMK side. Sources said Palaniswami reached out  to Thirumavalavan and urged him to reconsider. 

“The AIADMK leadership felt the VCK chief acted in haste while discussions were still underway,” a source said. Senior VCK leaders are understood to have pressed Thirumavalavan to consider the proposal, arguing that such a move could increase the party’s political leverage. According to party insiders, Thirumavalavan later told his associates that he did not want to be perceived as someone pursuing power at any cost. He was also said to be uncomfortable with what he viewed as possible BJP influence over TVK. 

Some VCK leaders said at an earlier stage, Palaniswami had offered Thirumavalavan the deputy chief minister’s post in a potential AIADMKl ed arrangement, along with a choice of portfolios. DMK, however, was unwilling to support it. VCK, which contested six seats as part of the DMK alliance, won two constituencies in the election. 

ALMOST CM: Thiruma said he was uncomfortable with what he viewed as possible BJP influence over TVK

VCK: Will decide on continuing in DMK front in two weeks

VCK: Will decide on continuing in DMK front in two weeks 

HIGH-LEVEL MEET 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 12.05.2026

Chennai : VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan on Sunday indicated that the party would decide whether to continue in the DMK alliance or align with the Congress led INDIA bloc in two weeks. 

Thirumavalavan told reporters in New Delhi on Monday, VCK would take a decision in the party’s high level committee meeting. The party would also take a final call on being part of the TVK cabinet. “However, we have decided that we should extend support from outside for the TVK govt,” Thirumavalavan said. 

“We did not speak to leader C Joseph Vijay about any power-sharing arrangement. However, they have conveyed that VCK should also find a place in the cabinet,” he said. Thirumavalavan also said the Congress party’s decision to support TVK changed the political equations within the INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu and said that DMK may no longer continue in the alliance. 

Referring to DMK MP Kanimozhi’s reported letter to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla seeking separate seating arrangements for DMK MPs, he said the move reflected the widening distance between DMK and Congress in Parliament. “She has conveyed that they can no longer sit and function in the Lok Sabha along with Congress members,” he said. Thirumavalavan, however, said the DMK’s political future remained unaffected as the party secured 60 MLAs and would continue to function in the assembly.

Rift widens in AIADMK, rebel netas set to back Vijay during floor test

Rift widens in AIADMK, rebel netas set to back Vijay during floor test 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK HYDERABAD. 11.05.2026

Chennai : Rift in AIADMK appeared to widen Sunday with party seniors C Ve Shanmugam and S P Velumani holding meeting with MLAs even as general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami convened a separate meeting of district secretaries. 

AIADMK sources said majority of MLAs and district secretaries attended the meeting convened by the rebel group. The meetings, held on the day when TVK president C Joseph Vijay was being sworn in as Tamil Nadu CM, also discussed about supporting his party in the assembly during the floor test. 

AIADMK sources said the rebel group was likely to vote for TVK, claiming the decision was taken in the meeting of MLAs with Shanmugam at his residence in Chennai. “They have decided to vote for TVK in the assembly and to come out of the NDA headed by BJP,” an AIADMK source said. 

In the recently held assembly election, AIADMK got only 47 seats and lost the status of opposition party. This is the first time that AIADMK is not in the opposition for more than five years. Shanmugam and Velumani had proposed the idea of backing TVK soon after the election results came, but EPS refused. Disgruntled, the rebel faction sought the support of MLAs and got backing of more than two-thirds of the MLAs required for immunity from anti-defection law. 

Meanwhile, Shanmugam contacted TVK general secretary N Anand. “But Vijay didn’t oblige. He wanted AIADMK MLAs supporting TVK to resign and face bypolls on TVK’s symbol. 

But the AIADMK MLAs are reluctant to do so as they might face backlash in their constituencies if they resign,” sources said. AIADMK sources said efforts by few party seniors for patching up the two factions had failed.

C JOSEPH VIJAY

Vijay and four musketeers: In search of magic number

 Vijay and four musketeers: In search of magic number 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 09.05.2026

Four key TVK leaders, considered part of Vijay’s core team, played a central role in wooing Left parties and VCK as the party intensified efforts to prove its numbers to form the govt. T Nagar MLA-elect Bussy Anand, TVK general secretary, held discussions with CPI state secretary M Veerapandian, while Tiruparankundram MLA-elect C T R Nirmal Kumar met CPM state secretary P Shanmugam soon after TVK sent letters seeking support. Though CPI and CPM publicly declared “unconditional support” to TVK on Friday, sources said talks included assurances from TVK that it would not align with “anti-secular forces”, would oppose the three language policy and NEET, and resist policies “pushed by BJP”. 

Meanwhile, Villivakkam MLA Aadhav Arjuna held multiple rounds of talks with VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan after Vijay personally spoke to him over the phone. Unlike the Left parties, VCK sought ministerial representation, sources said. Following talks, VCK’s high-level committee met on Friday evening to take a final call. In another round of outreach, Tiruchengode MLA-elect Arun Raj met IUML leaders. However, talks failed as IUML said it would support the Governor’s efforts to facilitate govt formation but did not clarify if it would back TVK. 

FAB FOUR: 1 Bussy Anand; 2 AadhavArjuna; 3 CTRNirmal 2 AadhavArjuna; 3 CTRNirmal 2 AadhavArjuna; 3 CTRNirmal 2 AadhavArjuna; 3 CTRNirmal Kumar; 4 Arun Ra

After 3 Lok Bhavan visits, Vijay 1 VCK step away from CM chair

After 3 Lok Bhavan visits, Vijay 1 VCK step away from CM chair 

Left Extends Support, VCK To Take Call Today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  09.05.2026

Chennai : TVK president C Joseph Vijay moved four steps closer to the chief minister’s chair on Friday evening after CPI and CPM, with two MLAs each, extended their support to his party to form the govt. Yet, around midnight, he was one short of coronation. TVK had the support of 117 legislators in the 234-member assembly, as VCK was yet to give its support in letter. 

VCK spokesman K K Pavalan posted a message in a media group that the party MLAs would issue letters of support to TVK on Saturday. An official statement from VCK said its leader Thol Thirumavalavan would make an announcement on Saturday. 

Hours after the Left parties announced their support to TVK, Vijay called on governor R V Arlekar, and word spread that he would sail through with the support of the two IUML MLAs, and the swearing-in would happen on Saturday. Then, IUML said it would not support TVK. CPM secretary P Shanmugam said his MLAs would support TVK to prevent governor’s rule in TN. “It will be like BJP entering the state through the back door. To prevent that, we have decided to support TVK,” he said. 

Shanmugam added they would not be part of the cabinet. Meanwhile, AMMK general secretary TTVDhinakaran met the governor requesting him to invite AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami to form the govt. Speaking to the media outside Lok Bhavan, TTV alleged that his party’s lone MLA was incommunicado, and blamed TVK for his “disappearance”. “TVK is doing horse trading,” he said. However, he later told reporters that the MLA got scared after a forged letter was circulated that he has supported TVK. 

With TVK appearing to touch the tape, reports of an AIADMK govt supported by DMK fizzled out. 

SC consistent on inviting largest party 

A governor has no option but to invite the single largest party or a post-poll alliance to form the govt after elections and can’t inquire into how the majority support was garnered by single largest party or alliance, Supreme Court’s constitution benches have ruled consistently, from the landmark SR Bommai judgment in 1994 to Rameshwar Prasad in 2006.

Left parties extend support to Vijay’s TVK to form govt in TN but to continue to work with DMK to ‘safeguard the state's interest and rights’

Left parties extend support to Vijay’s TVK to form govt in TN but to continue to work with DMK to ‘safeguard the state's interest and rights’ 

TVK has got the support of Congress (5 seats), CPI (2) and CPM (2). TVK is likely to cross the magic number of 118 as it is expecting a positive response from the VCK leader, whose party has two MLAs.

Shanmughasundaram JTNN

May 8, 2026, 18:50 IST

Both CPM and CPI on Friday extended letters of support for Vijay's TVK to form the govt. CHENNAI: While extending support to Vijay’s Tamiliga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for the formation of the govt in Tamil Nadu, Left parties on Friday clarified that they would continue to work with DMK to safeguard the state's interest and rights. “We will not be part of the govt, but will extend support from outside,” CPI state secretary P Shanmugam told reporters here. 

Both CPM and CPI on Friday extended letters of support for TVK to form the govt. TVK has got the support of Congress (5 seats), CPI (2) and CPM (2). TVK is likely to cross the magic number of 118 as it is expecting a positive response from the VCK leader, whose party has two MLAs.  Shanmugam said VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan would soon declare his party’s decision on extending support to TVK. This decision is expected to align with the Left parties' stand of supporting TVK to form the next govt. “VCK has also said that they will take the same decision as CPI and CPM. Soon, the VCK leader will announce that to you,” Shanmugam told reporters at a joint press meet with CPM state secretary M Veerapandian.

Earlier, Thirumavalavan had stated that they would hold a high-level committee meeting regarding TVK's proposal. He, however, noted that the party’s decision would mirror that of the Left parties. While responding to a question about whether pressure from the DMK led the Secular Progressive Alliance to stop them from extending support to TVK, Shanmugam rejected the claim categorically.

He said DMK leader M K Stalin had never asked them to oppose TVK or its efforts to form a govt. “The DMK leader has asserted that they wish to be the opposition party. We are independent parties. We have taken our own decision,” he said, questioning why they should ask another party to decide for them. “We are endorsing the people’s mandate by extending our support. We have taken this decision to thwart governor's Rule in Tamil Nadu,” said Veerapandian.

Vijay's TVK warns all 107 MLAs will resign if DMK, AIADMK form govt: Sources

Vijay's TVK warns all 107 MLAs will resign if DMK, AIADMK form govt: Sources

INDIA TODAY 05.08.2026

Amid the ongoing political deadlock in Tamil Nadu, the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is considering a mass resignation of all its 107 MLAs if either the DMK or the AIADMK is invited to form the government, party sources said. 

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) may consider a mass resignation of all its 107 MLAs if either MK Stalin’s DMK or Edappadi K Palaniswami-led AIADMK moves ahead to form the government, party sources said on Thursday, signalling growing unease within Vijay’s camp amid an ongoing political stalemate.

The warning, though not officially articulated by Vijay himself, reflects rising frustration inside the party as post-poll negotiations remain inconclusive and the numbers game continues to stall government formation.

The development came a day after reports suggested that the DMK opened backchannel talks with its long-rival AIADMK in a bid to keep the TVK from taking charge. The DMK got 59 seats, while the AIADMK managed 47 in the April 23 Assembly polls.

Let Vijay form the government: Prakash Raj slams Governor over delay Vijay has 107 MLAs, Governor insists on 118: What does the Constitution say? Over 25 AIADMK MLAs moved to Puducherry resort as Tamil Nadu govt formation hangs So Sorry: Vijay – the victory 

According to sources, the TVK leadership is particularly upset over what it believes is a tacit alignment between the DMK and AIADMK to prevent Vijay from taking office, despite his party emerging as the single-largest formation in the Assembly.

Leaders see recent political signals from both Dravidian majors as an attempt to keep TVK out of power, even as neither party has the numbers to independently form a government.

“The mandate is fractured, but the largest party cannot be ignored,” a senior TVK functionary said, capturing the mood within the camp.

The TVK won 108 seats in the Assembly polls, including two seats won by Vijay. With Vijay expected to vacate one seat per constitutional rule, the party’s effective strength stands at 107 MLAs. It has the backing of the Congress, which adds five more members, taking the tally to 112 – still short of the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member House.

The party has been actively reaching out to DMK allies – including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Left parties and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), but a firm commitment has not yet come through.

• https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/assembly/story/vijays-tvk-warns-all-of-their-mlas-will-resign-if-dmk-aiadmk-unite-to-form-government-in-tamil-nadu-sources-2908398-2026-05-07

DMK to prop up ADMK govt in TN? Stalin will take call EPS Likely To Meet Guv With Claim Today

DMK to prop up ADMK govt in TN? Stalin will take call EPS Likely To Meet Guv With Claim Today

 Julie.Mariappan@timesofindia.com08.05.2026

Chennai : The unthinkable in Tamil Nadu politics turned probable on Thursday when DMK president M K Stalin reportedly told his party MLAs that AIADMK had been seeking his support to form the govt and checkmate TVK president C Joseph Vijay from becoming chief minister. 

The legislators left the decision to Stalin, multiple sources told TOI. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, meanwhile, is understood to have sought governor R V Arlekar’s appointment on Friday. Hours before the DMK legislators’ meeting, Stalin was closeted with leaders of VCK, CPI and CPM, whose six MLAs (two each) can help the TVK-Congress combine fill the five-seat gap to cross the 118-mark. 

The topic of AIADMK outreach came up in this meeting, too, and the DMK allies told Stalin they would convey their decision on Friday. Earlier on Thursday, governor R V Arlekar had told TVK that it was yet to show the support of majority of MLAs to form the govt. TVK is the single largest party with 108 legislators, while DMK has 59 and AIADMK 47 MLAs in the 234-member assembly. 

Allies to discuss future course of action today 

Two independent sources told TOI that the talks started with AIADMK general secretary calling up DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on May 4 evening when TVK emerged winner. Functionaries of DMK’s allies other than Congress, which moved to the TVK side on Wednesday, have been meeting Stalin for three days. “In Thursday’s meeting, the topic of social media being abuzz with DMK-AIADMK talks came up,” said a source. “The allies said it would be taken into account during their respective party meetings on Friday to decide on the future course of action,” said an alliance party functionary. 

Asked about the possibility of VCK approving a DMK-AIADMK understanding, a senior VCK member said: “When there is a threat in the name of TVK, why not AIADMK and DMK join hands to provide a stable govt?” AIADMK legislators continued to be holed up in a resort in Puducherry for the second day AIADMK’s allies PMK (4 seats), AMMK and BJP (1 each) have been lying low. 

Governor meets chief secy, DGP

 Governor meets chief secy, DGP 

08.05.2026

Chennai : Governor R V Arlekar held separate meetings with the state chief secretary, M Sai Kumar, and DGP Sandeep Rai Rathore, amid political developments in the state on Thursday. Sources said Sai Kumar met the governor at Raj Bhavan around 3.30pm, while Rathore met him at 4pm. Each meeting lasted around 20 minutes. Officials said the DGP briefed the governor on the prevailing law and order situation in the state after ECI withdrew the Model Code of Conduct on Thursday. Sources said the governor also discussed security arrangements related to TVK chief Vijay prior to him being called to form the govt. Discussions included the temporary appointment of a security officer for protocol duties and the withdrawal of convoy vehicles earlier assigned to Vijay. Officials did not disclose further detail

Vijay meets Arlekar again, told majority not established

Vijay meets Arlekar again, told majority not established

 Ram.Sundaram@timesofindia.com 08.05.2026

Chennai : Uncertainty over formation of a govt led by TVK continued on Thursday after governor R V Arlekar informed C Joseph Vijay that the swearing-in process could be initiated only after he proved he had the numbers required for a majority in the assembly. Vijay who met the governor on Thursday was told that he has not ‘established’ that he had the required number of MLAs to form govt. The meeting comes a day after Vijay staked claim to form the govt. “During the meeting, the Hon’ble Governor explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the govt, has not been established,” said a statement from Lok Bhavan. 

TVK had won 108 seats and secured the support of five Congress MLAs, but still remained short of the 118-mark needed for a majority. Following the governor’s response, Vijay held discussions with his legal team and senior leaders at his Foreshore Estate residence on Thursday on the possibilities of moving court for directions for a floor test in the Assembly if delay continued. Later in the day, Vijay spoke to VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan over the phone seeking support for govt formation, while other second-rung leaders, including N Anand, Arun Raj and CTR Nirmal Kumar, met CPI, IUML and CPM leaders respectively. “He spoke to me seeking support. I said a decision would be taken after consultations,’’ Thirumavalavan said. TVK leaders expressed hope that they would get the required support from other parties. “We have sought support from several parties and we hope good will happen,” said TVK general secretary Arun Raj.He also urged the governor to act in accordance with constitution. 

Only delay, not denial, Don’t panic, only a delay and not a denial: 

TVK gen secy Responding to a question on reports that DMK and AIADMK may come together to prevent TVK from forming the govt, he said, people of Tamil Nadu were watching everything. “Why was OPS expelled from the AIADMK? Was it not because he was said to have maintained ties with the DMK? These two parties have planned things in a way that could dilute the people’s mandate,” he added. 

Meanwhile, TVK MLAs staying at a resort in Mamallapuram arrived at the party headquarters in Panaiyur. General secretary N Anand asked them not to panic and described the development as “only a delay and not a denial”. He also dismissed rumours that TVK MLAs were being poached.

DMK’s allies urge Governor to invite Vijay to form govt. Enough time should be given to the leader of the single-largest party to prove its majority. The Governor should respect the Constitution and act accordingly, says CPI leader M. Veerapandian In one voice: CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian, VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan; and MNM chief Kamal Haasan The Hindu Bureau CHENNAI Several allies of the DMK on Thursday said Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar should invite TVK president C. Joseph Vijay to form the government, as his party has emerged as the single-largest in the recent Assembly election. In a statement, CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian said that since there was no majority for any single party or alliance, and the TVK had emerged as the single-largest party by winning 108 seats, Mr. Vijay had met the Governor, staking claim to form a government. It was unfair to ask him to prove his majority immediately, he said, adding that Mr. Vijay should be given adequate time to do so on the floor of the House. Mr. Veerapandian also said the Supreme Court had, in S.R. Bommai vs Union of India and many other cases, said enough time should be given to the leader of the single-largest party to prove its majority. The Governor should respect the Constitution and act accordingly, he added. P. Shanmugam, State secretary of the CPI(M), said the Governor should invite Mr. Vijay to form the government, as no other political party had staked a claim to do so. In a statement, he said the people of Tamil Nadu had not granted a majority to any alliance in the election, but had elected the TVK as the single-largest party with 108 seats. “Mr. Vijay alone has staked a claim to form the government. But the BJP is using the Governor and taking a stand against the Constitution. That is why the Governor is delaying the opportunity for Mr. Vijay to form the government,” he alleged. Meanwhile, MDMK general secretary Vaiko said DMK president M.K. Stalin’s stand that the DMK would not block the TVK from forming the government was “most excellent, laudable and timely, and demonstrates his statesmanship”. MNM president Kamal Haasan said the verdict in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election was unprecedented, as no party had been given the mandate to form the government on its own. “My brother, Mr. Stalin, has said that we respect the people’s verdict, and that we will function as a responsible Opposition. I respect his political maturity. Now, those holding constitutional responsibility must also fulfil their duty. This is not a request, but a reminder of their constitutional obligation,” he said. “The TVK, 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,” he said. TNCC to protest Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai announced a Statewide protest at all the district headquarters on Friday. In a letter to the district presidents of the party, Mr. Selvaperunthagai said the TVK had emerged as the single-largest party in the Assembly. The Governor, instead of inviting it to form the government, had been acting as the “puppet of the BJP government at the Centre”, he added. Earlier, TVK leaders reached out to the VCK and the two Communist parties, seeking their support. “Mr. Vijay called me and sought our party’s support for forming the government,” said VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, adding that the actor-politician had also sent a formal letter. “We have to discuss the issue with the frontline leaders of the party. We are also continuously discussing it with the leaders of the Communist parties. We will take a decision together,” Mr. Thirumavalavan said. Mr. Veerapandian said TVK general secretary ‘Bussy’ Anand met him and sought his party’s support for government formation. Aadhav Arjuna, another TVK leader, was also in touch with Mr. Veerapandian. “However, in a Communist party, individuals cannot take decisions on political issues. We have convened a meeting of our State council on May 8 to take a decision on the matter,” Mr. Veerapandian said.

DMK’s allies urge Governor to invite Vijay to form govt.

Enough time should be given to the leader of the single-largest party to prove its majority. The Governor should respect the Constitution and act accordingly, says CPI leader M. Veerapandian

In one voice: CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian, VCK president

Thol. Thirumavalavan; and MNM chief Kamal Haasan

The Hindu Bureau

 

CHENNAI  08.05.2026

Several allies of the DMK on Thursday said Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar should invite TVK president C. Joseph Vijay to form the government, as his party has emerged as the single-largest in the recent Assembly election.

In a statement, CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian said that since there was no majority for any single party or alliance, and the TVK had emerged as the single-largest party by winning 108 seats, Mr. Vijay had met the Governor, staking claim to form a government. It was unfair to ask him to prove his majority immediately, he said, adding that Mr. Vijay should be given adequate time to do so on the floor of the House.

Mr. Veerapandian also said the Supreme Court had, in S.R. Bommai vs Union of India and many other cases, said enough time should be given to the leader of the single-largest party to prove its majority. The Governor should respect the Constitution and act accordingly, he added.

P. Shanmugam, State secretary of the CPI(M), said the Governor should invite Mr. Vijay to form the government, as no other political party had staked a claim to do so.

In a statement, he said the people of Tamil Nadu had not granted a majority to any alliance in the election, but had elected the TVK as the single-largest party with 108 seats. “Mr. Vijay alone has staked a claim to form the government. But the BJP is using the Governor and taking a stand against the Constitution. That is why the Governor is delaying the opportunity for Mr. Vijay to form the government,” he alleged.

Meanwhile, MDMK general secretary Vaiko said DMK president M.K. Stalin’s stand that the DMK would not block the TVK from forming the government was “most excellent, laudable and timely, and demonstrates his statesmanship”.

MNM president Kamal Haasan said the verdict in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election was unprecedented, as no party had been given the mandate to form the government on its own.

“My brother, Mr. Stalin, has said that we respect the people’s verdict, and that we will function as a responsible Opposition. I respect his political maturity. Now, those holding constitutional responsibility must also fulfil their duty. This is not a request, but a reminder of their constitutional obligation,” he said.

“The TVK, 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,” he said.

TNCC to protest

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai announced a Statewide protest at all the district headquarters on Friday.

In a letter to the district presidents of the party, Mr. Selvaperunthagai said the TVK had emerged as the single-largest party in the Assembly. The Governor, instead of inviting it to form the government, had been acting as the “puppet of the BJP government at the Centre”, he added.

Earlier, TVK leaders reached out to the VCK and the two Communist parties, seeking their support.

“Mr. Vijay called me and sought our party’s support for forming the government,” said VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, adding that the actor-politician had also sent a formal letter.

“We have to discuss the issue with the frontline leaders of the party. We are also continuously discussing it with the leaders of the Communist parties. We will take a decision together,” Mr. Thirumavalavan said.

Mr. Veerapandian said TVK general secretary ‘Bussy’ Anand met him and sought his party’s support for government formation. Aadhav Arjuna, another TVK leader, was also in touch with Mr. Veerapandian.

“However, in a Communist party, individuals cannot take decisions on political issues. We have convened a meeting of our State council on May 8 to take a decision on the matter,” Mr. Veerapandian said.

Govt. formation: the options and precedents before Governor Arlekar

Govt. formation: the options and precedents before Governor Arlekar

Facing flak: Some of the parties have begun criticising Mr. Arlekar for insisting on the production of letters of support.

T. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI  08.05.2026

With Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar stating that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has not established the requisite majority support in the State Assembly to form a government, he has many options as precedents to examine.

On Thursday afternoon, Mr. Arlekar’s office made public this position, after two rounds of meetings over the past two days between the Governor and TVK founder C. Joseph Vijay, whose party had secured 108 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. As Mr. Vijay has been elected from two seats – Perambur and Tiruchi (East) – the party’s tally will effectively be 107.

Letters of support

Some of the parties have begun criticising Mr. Arlekar for insisting on the production of letters of support. Twenty years ago, when the DMK bagged only 96 seats in the 234-member Assembly, it formed the government only with the support of its allies, which accounted for 68 seats. The Hindu, on May 12, 2006, stated that “all the allies have submitted letters supporting the DMK to Governor Surjit Singh Barnala”.

In fact, in April 1999, when the Congress tried to form the government at the Centre after the collapse of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime, then President K.R. Narayanan had sought written assurances of support from the partners of a proposed coalition at the time of ministry-making, which he considered to have become a well-established precedent.

His predecessor, S.D. Sharma, who had issued the letter of appointment to Atal Bihari Vajpayee in May 1996 as Prime Minister during their first meeting, changed his approach a few weeks later and insisted on the letters of support when the United Front government, headed by Deve Gowda, was installed.

He “even went to the extent of securing undertakings on matters related to programmes”, stated this paper’s report on April 19, 1999. Narayanan himself observed the practice in March 1998, when Vajpayee formed a coalition with the help of parties such as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Sharma was severely criticised for his decision to appoint Vajpayee the Prime Minister even before the decision of the Congress to support Mr. Gowda was communicated to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Single-largest party

However, the precedent of inviting the leader of the single-largest party to form the government was created as early as in 1952, when the Congress set up its regime under the leadership of C. Rajagopalachari (CR). In the House of 375 members, the Congress obtained only 152 seats. A surprise inclusion in the CR Cabinet was the Commonweal Party’s leader, M.A. Manickavelu Naicker. By the time the Assembly was constituted in early May, the Congress’s strength rose to 165.

A former official of the Tamil Nadu government, who is well-versed with parliamentary practices and conventions, explains that there is nothing wrong with the Governor seeking letters, but he or she should not carry out a head count. The floor of the House is the best place for any party to demonstrate its strength. At the same time, the Governor cannot be oblivious to the possibility of horse-trading if he or she allows any party, which does not have a majority of its own or with the support of its allies, to form the government.

As regards the constitution of the new House, the former official adds that the practice in Tamil Nadu is for the Public Department to issue a Government Order on the formation of the Assembly, on receipt of documents from the Election Commission of India on the declaration of results, and get it published in the government gazette.

DMK-AIADMK coalition

The Governor can also find out from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president and the outgoing Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, and the AIADMK general secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, whether either of them, individually or jointly, are in a position to form the government. This assumes significance in the wake of reports of an understanding between the two Dravidian majors.

There are at least two precedents at the all-India level in support of this option. In July 1979, then President N. Sanjiva Reddi, after Prime Minister Morarji Desai of the Janata Party, had separate consultations with leaders of various parliamentary parties to make an assessment as to which of them would be in a position to marshal a durable majority for forming an alternative government at the Centre. It was after Y.B. Chavan, then Leader of the Opposition, conveyed to the President his inability to form the government, that an invitation was extended to Charan Singh, the leader of the breakaway Janata group, to form the government. Likewise, in November 1990, then President R. Venkataraman, after being informed by all major parties of their disinclination to form the government subsequent to the fall of the National Front regime headed by V.P. Singh, had asked Chandra Shekhar to form the government.

In case the Governor comes to the conclusion that no government can be formed under the given composition of the Assembly, he can recommend to the Central government the imposition of President’s rule, besides keeping the House in suspended animation, or even dissolution if possible. This was done in Bihar in 2005.

Notwithstanding these precedents, there have been a number of recommendations and judicial opinions on the issue of the Governor’s role in the appointment of Chief Minister in the case of a hung Assembly.

The Commission on Centre-State Relations, in Volume II, states that “the party or combination of parties, which commands the widest support in the Legislative Assembly, should be called upon to form the Government”. Headed by former Chief Justice of India M.M. Punchhi, the panel also goes on to state that “in case no party or pre-poll coalition has a clear majority, the Governor should select the Chief Minister in the order of preference indicated below: a. The group of parties which had pre-poll alliance commanding the largest number; b. The largest single party staking a claim to form the government with the support of others; c. A post-electoral coalition with all partners joining the government. A post-electoral alliance with some parties joining the government and the remaining including independents supporting the government from outside”.

DMK explores backing rival AIADMK in hung T.N. House

DMK explores backing rival AIADMK in hung T.N. House

Left parties and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi hold the key in government formation; Governor tells Vijay that his TVK, the single largest party with 107 MLAs-elect, has not established a majority

Outgoing Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin (third from right) at a meet of the DMK’s MLAs-elect in Chennai on Thursday. Special arrangement

B. Kolappan

 

Chennai 08.05.2026

The post-election political climate in Tamil Nadu turned upside down on Thursday after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leadership began toying with the idea of extending outside support to its arch-rival, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) — a prospect unthinkable even a few days ago.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar invited Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday and “explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the government, has not been established”, the Lok Bhavan said.

A meeting of the MLAs-elect of the DMK here empowered party president and outgoing Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to take an appropriate decision in light of the fractured electoral verdict, which failed to give any single party a majority.

“As the State is not ready for another election, our objective is to ensure a stable government. At the same time, we are under compulsion to prevent communal forces that could disturb Dravidian ideals from gaining a foothold,” a resolution adopted at the meeting said.

While Mr. Vijay and senior party leaders have reached out to the DMK’s allies — the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) with two seats each — Mr. Stalin is learnt to have broached the idea of backing an AIADMK-led government with these three parties.

VCK sends mixed signals on supporting TVK to form govt

VCK sends mixed signals on supporting TVK to form govt

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesofindia.com 06.05.2026

Chennai : VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan has sent mixed signals on the question of extending support to TVK in the state assembly. In a statement issued early Tuesday, Thiruma said he wanted to express his ‘heartfelt gratitude to people who had endorsed coalition govt in the state, which was proposed by VCK.

’ “People have delivered the verdict in such a way that no single party has absolute majority required to form a govt. This teaches us a nuanced political lesson. In other words, it is clear that the people of Tamil Nadu desire coalition govt,” he said. He further said that TVK was not treated as VCK’s enemy. “Our goal was solely to protect secularism. Therefore, we did not position TVK as our primary target of opposition. Instead, we focused intensely on exposing the BJP and AIADMK,” he said and equated the votes won by DMK and TVK as those against ‘sangh parivar politics.’ While the statement was seen as VCK’s openness for a power-sharing agreement with TVK, Thiruma who spoke to reporters after calling on chief minister M K Stalin said VCK was “not exploring the possibility of a coalition govt with TVK.” 

“We are still with the DMK. We stand for secularism and will proceed with this alliance for the welfare of the people of TN. We are not expecting any invitation from TVK,” he said. “We have achieved 100% success in our objective. We are proud of it,” Thiruma said in the presence of CPI state secretary M Veerapandian and CPM state secretary P Shanmugam. However, Thiruma said they would take a joint decision with the left parties on the future course of action. “We are firm on our ideology-driven alliance. We will take a collective decision,” Thiruma said when responding to whether they would extend support for Vijay to form the govt. He refused to comment on reports of one alliance partner, the Congress leadership, tilting toward TVK. 

VCK general secretary D Ravikumar told TOI that VCK was not contemplating joining TVK nor had Vijay’s party reached out to them seeking support. “BJP will never allow that, and they also want Congress kept away from forming the govt. So, they will play their cards to bring AIADMK in to fit their game plan and help TVK form the govt,” he said

NOTA got 747 votes in seat that DMK lost by one vote

NOTA got 747 votes in seat that DMK lost by one vote

Ragu.Raman@timesofindia.com 06.05.2026

Chennai : The NOTA (none of the above) option polled 747 votes in Tirupattur where DMK minister K R Periyakaruppan lost by one vote to TVK’s Seenivasa Sethupathy. In nine other constituencies too, NOTA polled more votes than the victory margins. 

TVK won four of the seats, AIADMK three, DMK two and BJP. Overall, NOTA polled 1,99,811 votes (0.41%) in 2026, a dip from 3,45,487 (0.75%) votes in 2021. NOTA polled 5,61,174 votes (1.3%) when it was introduced in 2016. Experts said the electoral reform lost its significance within a decade. “NOTA at its peak polled 7,000 to 8,000 votes in the first election. In this election, the highest NOTA got was 2,116 votes in Kavundampalayam. 

In a three-way contest, NOTA votes have come down,” said professor Ramu Manivannan, former head of the department of politics and political administration, University of Madras. “Without any power for recall or referendum or review of candidates, NOTA has become a kind of symbolic gesture. It’s a half-hearted electoral reform, and the political system is unwilling to review it,” he added. 

P Joseph Victor Raj, coordinator, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, National Election Watch, said the youth found an alternative with the entry of TVK, which brought down the number of dissent votes in 2026. 

Besides Tiruppatur, Paramathy Velur, Thirukoyilur, Kulithalai, Polur, Kallakurichi, Kumbakonam, Udhagamandalam, Veppanahalli and Kanyakumari had victory margins lower than the NOTA votes. In 2021, victory margins were lower than NOTA votes in 13 constituencies.