MEWS TODAY 09.05.2026

 

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.

NEWS TODAY 08.05.2026

 

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.