Tamil Nadu’s Political Realignment: The Major Victory of TVK

The state of Tamil Nadu witnessed a dramatic political churn in the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections held on April 23, 2026. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam(TVK), led by a renowned actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay, showcased a commendable performance, winning 108 seats. In the opposition, the previous ruling party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (DMK), led by former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, secured only 59 seats, thereby facing a major setback. The AIADMK, on the other hand, secured 47 seats in the Assembly elections. 

Hung Assembly: A challenge to the new upcoming leader of TVK

While TVK had secured 108 seats, it was still short of the mark of 118 seats, as a minimum requirement to form a majority government. Since no single political party or alliance secured the minimum number of seats to form a majority government, a hung assembly occurred. 

Article 164(1) of the Constitution states that the chief minister shall be appointed by the governor. When there is no clear majority, the constitution gives the governor the discretion to select a Chief Minister in a hung Assembly and enable him/her to appoint a government that would be stable and enjoys the majority in the Assembly. 

Amid the uncertainty of government formation, Joseph Vijay met the governor of Tamil Nadu, R.V. Arlekar, convincing him that TVK has the potential to prove majority support and stake a claim to form the government. 

Extended support for TVK to cross the majority threshold 

The party secured support from the Congress, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), enabling it to cross the majority threshold. Two seats each from CPI, CPI(M), and VCK, along with 5 seats from Congress, assisted the TVK party to reach the majority mark, allying. 

The Oath Ceremony of Vijay 

After days of shifting numbers, negotiations, and crucial meetings, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder and actor Vijay took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday morning.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at Chennai’s Nehru Stadium after Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Saturday invited Vijay to form the government following his formal appointment as Chief Minister.

The three major plans were put forward to the people of Tamil Nadu: 200 units of free power, emphasis on women's safety, and anti-narcotics groups in the state. He pledged that “the new era of real secular social justice starts now”. 

Historic AIADMK split in the politics of Tamil Nadu

According to the current reports, the AIADMK faction extended support to Vinay's TVK. After several days of failed deliberations around a possible DMK-AIADMK understanding, AIADMK headed towards a historic split, with a large faction openly challenging the leadership of Edapaddi K Palaniswami and supporting the TVK led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. 

The conclusion 

The upcoming TVK showcased a major drift in the politics of Tamil Nadu. The growth of TVK and the rise of Joseph Vijay highlight the political aspirations of the public of Tamil Nadu, not grounded in the traditional Dravidian power structure. The formation of a coalition government after the hung assembly scenario sheds light on the importance of negotiation skills and TVK’s potential power to lead the government.