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

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• 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.

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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.”

Vijay's floor test splits AIADMK. Will Thalapathy go the Yediyurappa way?

Vijay's floor test splits AIADMK. Will Thalapathy go the Yediyurappa way?

Priyanka Mukherjee

TIMESOFINDIA.COM

May 13, 2026, 7:03 IST

Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay 

In 2019, 17 Karnataka MLAs - 14 from the Congress and 3 from the JD(S) - resigned from the assembly, bringing down the then HD Kumaraswamy government. The resignations paved the way for BJP's Yediyurappa to take over as state's chief minister. Interestingly, in this change of guard the resignations were the key, not defections that normally disrupt governments. The anti-defection law, a constitutional safeguard against floor-crossing by MLAs, had no answer for this political manoeuvre. After all, you cannot disqualify a legislator who is no longer one.

Seven years later, we may see a similar political manoeuvre in Tamil Nadu - where people voted for actor-politician Vijay to end the DMK-AIDMK duopoly, but did not give him the complete numbers. Vijay's number test Tamil Nadu voted to elect a new assembly on April 23. When the results were out on May 4, the people's verdict was unlike anything the state had ever seen since 1967. For the first time in nearly six decades, neither the DMK nor the AIADMK, the two Dravidian parties that have taken turns to rule the state, came anywhere close to forming the government. The DMK won 59 while the AIADMK was reduced to 47. Actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, a party barely two years old and contesting its first elections, won 108 seats in the 234-member assembly. Clearly, the verdict was for Vijay, but not enough to take him smoothly to the chief minister's chair.

Vijay was left 11 short of the magic number of 118 (the majority mark) needed to form a governmet on his own. Since Vijay had contested and won from two seats, his TVK's actual strength was 107. What followed was a frantic week of dealmaking. The Congress, with five seats, was the first to come on board making an abrupt end to its 11-year-old alliance with the DMK. Two more parties - the CPM and the CPI - with two seats each, also announced outside support to Vijay. But the TVK chief was still short of majority. Vijay also got the support of lone Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) MLA S Kamaraj, who rebelled to back the TVK alliance. Two other parties - the VCK and the IUML, which had won two seats each, initially turned TVK down. But after days of suspense and negotiations, both eventually came on board and finally Vijay got the numbers for the governor to extend him an invite to form the governmentVijay was sworn in at Nehru Indoor Stadium on May 7, becoming the first non-DMK, non-AIADMK Tamil Nadu chief minister since 1967. 

The governor gave him time till May 13 to prove his majority. AIADMK split wide open And while Vijay and his strategists were busy firming up the numbers, a section of the AIADMK, the party of MGR and Jayalalithaa, openly came out in support of the TVK's star. 

A group of about 30 MLAs led by former ministers SP Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam broke ranks with party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and announced their support for the Vijay's TVK government. Shanmugam, addressing reporters, alleged that Palaniswami wanted to stitch an arrangement with archrival DMK to keep TVK out of power. "He (Palaniswami) wanted to form a government with the support of DMK," he claimed, adding "the proposal is against the fundamental principles of AIADMK." Pointing out that the AIADMK was floated to oppose and uproot the DMK, Shanmugam said all party members had opposed Palaniswami's proposal. The party needs a "new life," he said, and for that, the "Amma rule" must return. Supporting Vijay, he argued, was the way to get there. The faction elected Velumani as their legislature party leader and submitted a letter of support to the pro-tem Speaker.

AIADMK faction extends support to TVK This is not the first time that the AIADMK has split. After MGR's death in 1987, the party was divided into two. After Jayalalithaa's death in December 2016, it split again, with factions backing O Panneerselvam and VK Sasikala pulling the party in different directions before EPS took command. However, the AIADMK survived all the splits and eventually held together. This time, with just 47 seats and a floor test looming, the story may be different. The AIADMK has hit back at the rebels. On its official X handle, the party called them a "bag of lies" and asked pointedly whether Velumani, Shanmugam and C Vijayabaskar were "pleading for minister posts with TVK." It then issued a whip directing all 47 MLAs to vote against TVK in Wednesday's floor test. "Action will be taken against those MLAs who act against the party's directive," the party statement read.

AIADMK on X handle The resignation route Vijay has the numbers to pass the floor test as of now. However, if the rebel AIADMK MLAs back him, his government will get a big boost. The rebels, who have openly announced their support for Vijay and have even met him, would be wary of the anti-defection law. To evade disqualification, their numbers should be more than 31 - which is two-thirds of the AIADMK's numerical strength in the assembly. At 30, they are short of this number and may face disqualification for defying the party whip. It's a different matter though that the disqualification proceedings at times takes months and even years. By then, the government will be settled.

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay called on former minister C Ve Shanmugam and other MLAs in his camp But if the rebel MLAs resign before Wednesday's vote, they don't fall within the ambit of the anti-defection law. The House strength drops, the majority mark falls, and Vijay wins comprehensively without needing any extra vote. This is what had happened in Karnataka in 2019, when Yeddyurappa had stormed back to power courtesy mass resignations. There is a third option also. If the Velumani-Shanmugam camp can win over some more MLAs and show they have support of 32 out of 47, they could claim to be the real AIADMK legislature party and avoid disqualification altogether. 

This is what Shiv Sena rebel Eknath Shinde did in 2022. Shinde walked out of the Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra with two-thirds of the Shiv Sena legislators, survived the anti-defection proceedings, and eventually won the legal battle over the party name and symbol itself. This has happened in other states too. In Madhya Pradesh in 2020, 22 Congress MLAs loyal to Jyotiraditya Scindia resigned. The Kamal Nath government fell. Shivraj Singh Chouhan returned as chief minister. The resignations were later questioned in court. It did not matter. The government stood. The anti-defection law, introduced in 1985 to bring stability to Indian legislatures, has repeatedly been outmanoeuvred mainly by resignations, mergers, two-thirds rebellions etc. It has rarely stopped a determined majority from forming a government. 

What happens Wednesday Vijay has said nothing publicly about the AIADMK rebellion. He does not need to. But he has met AIADMK rebel leader C Ve Shanmugam's at the latter's residence in Chennai indicating that he is willing to engage with them. The rebel MLAs have submitted their letter. The whip has been issued. Wednesday's floor test will decide the future of AIADMK — will the rebels gather more support before the vote and split the party officially, will they resign, or will they defy the whip and simply not show up? Well, we will have to wait till tomorrow to see if the AIADMK survives this rebellion. AIADMK's fate notwithstanding, Vijay will be the winner.

‘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. 

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.

Congress offers support to TVK but with a condition

Congress offers support to TVK but with a condition

TNCC says TVK, which emerged as the single-largest party, should not seek support from BJP or its alliance partners; CPI(M) to take a call on backing Vijay, who is likely to call on the Governor today

TVK chief Vijay pays tribute to the party’s ideological leaders ahead of a meeting at the party headquarters in Chennai. PTI

N. Sai Charan

CHENNAI. 06.05.2026

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, on Tuesday reached out to the Congress and the CPI(M) — constituents of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance — seeking support to form the government in Tamil Nadu, after the party emerged as the single largest in the Assembly with 108 seats, short of a simple majority in the 234-member House.

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC), after an online meeting with office-bearers, said it would extend support to the TVK subject to the condition that it should not seek the support of the lone BJP MLA-designate or any alliance partners of the BJP. The Congress won five seats in the election.

In New Delhi, All India Congress Committee general secretary K.C. Venugopal confirmed that the TVK had formally sought the Congress’s backing.

“The Congress is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government, committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit. The Congress is determined not to have the BJP or its proxies run the Tamil Nadu government. Accordingly, the party leadership has directed the TNCC to take a final decision on Mr. Vijay’s request, keeping in view the sentiments of the State reflected in the electoral verdict,” he said.

Mr. Venugopal said this after a meeting on the political situation in Tamil Nadu with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu Girish Chodankar, and other leaders.

However, it is not clear whether the Congress will extend outside support or will be part of the government. Since Mr. Vijay has to resign from one of the two constituencies (Perambur and Tiruchi East) he was elected from, effectively, the TVK would have 107 MLAs. This would bring down the strength of the House to 233. Thus, even if the Congress decides to support the TVK, the party would need the support of five more MLAs to cross the halfway mark.

The TVK approached the CPI(M), which won two seats, for support through party MP Su. Venkatesan. “TVK strategist Jhon Arokiasamy approached Mr. Venkatesan on Tuesday. But only our party’s State committee can take a decision,” said CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam. The party’s State committee meeting is scheduled to be held on Friday.

According to sources, Mr. Vijay and senior leaders of the party have sought an appointment to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Wednesday.