Governor’s Office Explains Delay in Inviting Vijay’s TVK to Form Government in Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu Governor’s office has reportedly issued a clarification regarding why Vijay, leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has not yet been invited to form the government despite the party emerging as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026.

TVK secured victory in 108 constituencies, making it the largest party in the Assembly. Following the election results, Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Wednesday, May 6, and staked claim to form the government.

However, reports suggested that the Governor asked Vijay to submit a list of 118 supporting MLAs, the number required for a majority in the Assembly. Until Wednesday night, no official invitation had reportedly been issued to TVK to form the government.

Subsequently, Vijay met the Governor again on Thursday morning and reportedly provided explanations to the questions raised by the Governor’s office. As political attention intensified regarding the Governor’s next move, Raj Bhavan later issued an explanation regarding the situation.

According to the clarification, the Governor had invited Vijay to Raj Bhavan to explain why proving majority support is constitutionally necessary before forming the government in Tamil Nadu.

The Governor’s office reportedly stated that TVK did not seek to form the government solely as the single largest party with 108 MLAs. Instead, the party claimed support from alliance MLAs, including the Indian National Congress, and therefore approached the Governor as part of a coalition arrangement.

Because TVK sought to form the government with coalition support rather than independently, the Governor’s office reportedly stated that proof of support from the required 118 MLAs became mandatory before an invitation could be issued.

The statement further revealed that Raj Bhavan had sought legal advice from Additional Solicitor General of India A. R. L. Sundaresan regarding the constitutional position on government formation in Tamil Nadu.

Based on the legal opinion provided, the Governor’s office stated that TVK had approached with support from around 113 MLAs, including Congress support, but since the claim involved a coalition arrangement, proof of majority support from 118 MLAs was legally necessary.

The Governor’s office reportedly clarified that if TVK had claimed the right to form the government solely as the single largest party, the situation would have been different. Since the party approached as part of a coalition, the Governor sought details about which additional parties would support TVK.

According to reports, the Governor also explained directly to Vijay that a government cannot be formed without demonstrating majority support. It is further stated that after Vijay met the Governor yesterday, the Governor personally invited him again today to provide a detailed legal explanation regarding the constitutional requirements.

The final decision regarding government formation is now expected to depend on the legal guidance received and TVK’s ability to demonstrate majority support in the Assembly.