In a significant turn of events for Tamil Nadu politics, actor-politician Vijay has secured the magic figure. Following a tense standoff with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the TVK leader has secured eleventh-hour backing from the Congress, VCK, CPI, and CPI(M), effectively clearing his path to form the next government.
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While Vijay had originally sought an audience with the Governor for mid-afternoon on Friday, the meeting has been pushed back to 6 pm. He is expected to use this window to formally stake his claim, armed with the written support of his new allies. The arithmetic has shifted decisively: TVKโs 107 MLAs, combined with five from the Congress and two each from the CPI, CPI(M), and VCK, bring the coalition to 118โthe exact figure needed for a majority in the 234-member Assembly.
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This consolidation follows a week of high drama. Only yesterday, the Governor had declined to invite Vijay to form a government, citing a lack of demonstrated support. That move sparked a firestorm of criticism from the opposition, who accused the Centre of using the Governorโs office to bypass democratic norms. The deadlock was eventually broken through frantic behind-the-scenes negotiations, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reportedly stepping in personally to mediate between the various party leaders in Chennai.
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However, the support for Vijay has come with strings attached and some blunt public messaging. VCK leader Sinthanai Selvan took a swipe at Vijayโs leadership style, questioning why the TVK chief had relied on impersonal WhatsApp messages to seek alliances rather than engaging in face-to-face diplomacy. Selvan warned that “second-rung leaders” surrounding Vijay were isolating him from potential partners.
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The broader coalition, however, seems more concerned with preventing a constitutional crisis than with internal friction. Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge joined the fray on Friday, insisting that the Governor must allow a floor test. He argued that the legislature, not the Governor’s residence, is the proper venue to prove a majority, citing previous precedents in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
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The crisis began after the May 4 election results delivered a fractured verdict. Though TVK emerged as the single largest party, the DMK-led alliance lost its hold on power, leaving the state in a vacuum. Protests had already begun to break out across the state following the Governorโs initial hesitation, with the Left and Congress pointing to the 1996 precedent where Atal Bihari Vajpayee was invited to form a government as the head of the largest party.
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While the BJP maintains that Governor Arlekar is merely following the rule book, the momentum has clearly shifted. Although outgoing Chief Minister MK Stalin has reportedly urged his allies to stay firm, the “magic number” now sits with Vijay. All eyes are now on Raj Bhavan to see if the Governor will finally pave the way for the actor to take his oath as Chief Minister.
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Also read: Tamil Nadu Guv asks Vijay to prove majority by tonight