Actor-turned-politician Vijay is poised to form the government in Tamil Nadu after his party delivered a stunning electoral debut, breaking the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK.
Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, making it the single largest party. He is expected to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to stake his claim to form the government.
However, TVK remains short of the majority mark of 118 seats, meaning Vijay will need support from other parties to take office. The Indian National Congress, which won 5 seats and is traditionally aligned with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, has reportedly offered its backing. Even with that support, TVK still falls short, making additional alliances crucial.
When Vijay meets the governor, he will need to demonstrate majority support. If he secures enough backing from smaller parties and independents to cross the required number, he could be invited to form the government directly.
Alternatively, the governor may allow him to form the government conditionally, requiring a floor test in the Assembly to prove his majority. This process is governed by constitutional provisions that empower the governor to summon the House for a confidence vote.
If the governor is not convinced, the second-largest party, the DMK led by M. K. Stalin, which has 59 seats, could be invited to attempt government formation. In such a case too, a floor test would be mandatory.
Although TVK won 108 seats, Vijay contested and won from two constituencies, meaning he will vacate one, effectively reducing the party’s tally to 107. With the appointment of a Speaker, the effective voting strength may drop further.
This also changes the majority threshold, bringing the effective mark closer to 117. Vijay will need to ensure support around this figure to secure power.
Another tactical route could involve reducing the number of members present during the floor test, as the majority is calculated based on those present and voting. This strategy, often seen in Indian politics, can lower the required number to win a confidence vote.
TVK’s 108 seats mark a significant political shift in Tamil Nadu. The DMK secured 59 seats, while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) won 47.
Among smaller parties, Congress secured 5 seats, PMK 4, while IUML, CPI, VCK, and CPI(M) won 2 seats each. The BJP, DMDK, and AMMK managed one seat each.
Despite falling short of an outright majority, TVK’s strong showing positions Vijay at the centre of government formation, with alliance-building now the key to सत्ता in the state.
