Tamil Nadu Govt Formation Highlights: Governor Arlekar Appoints Vijay As CM After Clarity On Tally

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to arrive in Chennai on May 10 to attend the swearing-in ceremony as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

"According to official sources, Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to land in Chennai by flight at around 8.40 a.m," news agency IANS reported, quoting sources.

Speaking to news agency ANI, TVK Women's Wing Leader from Coimbatore East, Shanmuga Priya, said, "We are very happy and excited. Our leader Vijay is very concerned about the women in Tamil Nadu… This victory is not only for Vijay, but it is also our own victory… He is going to govern Tamil Nadu in a very well-mannered way."

Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday congratulated TVK chief Vijay as he is set to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Veteran Tamil filmmaker S.A. Chandrashekhar, the father of actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief Vijay, on Saturday expressed happiness after his son secured the backing of 120 MLAs to form the government in Tamil Nadu, news agency IANS reported.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) President Thol Thirumavalavan said, "We have decided like CPI and CPI(M) - only for forming the Govt, no other commitments. We extended our support without any participation in the ministry. We have to extend unconditional support to Vijay to form his Govt. So, we have given a support letter to TVK to attain the magic number. We are still with the DMK-headed alliance. But we have independence, liberty to decide based on this political crisis. So, this is our stand."

According to reports, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to reach Chennai at 8:30 AM on Sunday ahead of TVK chief Vijay’s swearing-in.

Workers and supporters of the TVK burst firecrackers outside the TVK HQ in Chennai to celebrate as the party is set to form a government in Tamil Nadu.

According to news agency ANI, the swearing-in ceremony will be held at Nehru Stadium, Chennai on May 10 at 10 AM.

TVK chief Vijay left the Lok Bhavan after meeting Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. He was accompanied by leaders from CPI, CPI(M), Congress, IUML and VCK.

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Saturday appointed TVK chief Vijay as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and handed him the appointment letter, news agency PTI reported.

VCK Chief Thol Thirumavalavan on Saturday said, "Supporting TVK to form the government, to prevent President’s rule. Political crisis in Tamil Nadu should not become a cause for implementing President’s rule."

TVK Chief Vijay is scheduled to take oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, May 10 at 10:00 AM.

TVK Chief Vijay on Saturday met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Lok Bhavan.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday said, "Whatever decision has been taken by my party has been done to keep the BJP forces out of power, that is the only intention. Ultimately, we want secular forces..."

With the support of VCK and IUML, TVK crossed the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member TN Assembly.

- TVK: 108, but the effective number is 107

- Congress: 5

- CPI: 2

- CPI-M: 2

- VCK: 2

- IUML: 2

Total: 120

Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar is scheduled to meet TVK Chief Vijay today at 6:30 PM. This comes after Vijay garnered support from the VCK and IUML.

TVK leader Arjuna on Saturday thanked the Congress, Left, and VCK chief Thirumavalavan for support.

After securing numbers to form the government in Tamil Nadu, TVK chief Vijay left for the Lok Bhavan to call on Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar.

IUML, with 2 MLAs, has extended support to TVK to form the government, taking the total tally to 120.

Aadhav Arjuna on Saturday asserted 'victory' as he showed a letter from VCK 'extending support' to TVK on the government formation, news agency PTI reported.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) on Saturday extended 'unconditional support; to TVK, taking the total seat tally to 118.

A TVK supporter reportedly set himself on fire and suffered severe burn injuries amid the delay in government formation in Tamil Nadu, according to India Today. The victim, a 40-year-old man, has been admitted to a hospital where he is being treated for the injuries. 

“The people have given a mandate to TVK and Vijay. The other parties are trying to do politics in between. The Governor is the facilitator of the Constitution, but doesn't have authority. It is his duty to invite TVK and prove the majority on the Floor of the Assembly, not Lok Bhavan. Why is he doing such drama? He is a mouthpiece of the BJP-RSS. He is not doing his job, but according to the direction of the BJP,” T Selvam, TVK leader said.

CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby, on Saturday, made strong remarks on the latest political events in Tamil Nadu and the uncertain situation on government formation.

An ex-IPS officer moved the Supreme Court on Saturday (May 9, 2026) and urged the court to strike down Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's refusal to invite the TVK chief C Joseph Vijay to form the Government, even when his party secured the highest number of seats. 

The plea moved by IPS M Ramasubramani(retd), who is also an Additional Director General of Police and Inspector General of Police, held that the Governor's act was an unconstitutional declaration of majority outside the Assembly. 

VCK General Secretary, Dr D Ravikumar, on Saturday dismissed reports regarding VCK’s demands for Assembly positions. 

He wrote, “The reports currently being circulated, claiming that the VCK is seeking various positions and making demands, are entirely contrary to the truth. We request the media not to lend credence to such reports. We further urge the media not to become complicit in attempts to malign the VCK.”

AIADMK General Secretary and former Leader of Opposition of the Tamil Nadu Assembly Edappadi K Palaniswami greeted the party that will form the government in Tamil Nadu.

“In the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections that have concluded successfully, candidates from various parties have contested and emerged victorious. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the party that will form the government in Tamil Nadu,” he posted on X.

CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby on Saturday said that he is closely observing the ongoing discussions for government formation in the state and seems to be tentatively supportive of actor-politician Vijay.

“For now, we believe in Vijay; he has assured to stand against communal forces; the mandate of the Tamil Nadu people must be followed,” PTI quoted Baby.

VCK MLA-elect Vanniarasu on Saturday claimed the party's position is to protect "people's rule" and condemn the idea of Governor's rule. He claimed that the party will abide decision taken by VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan.

“The decision taken by our leader is the party’s stand. The people have been given the right opportunity for a share in governance and authority,” ANI quoted Vanniarasu.

“We do not accept the Governor’s rule. We want the people’s rule to continue and be established. The Governor’s actions are against the Constitution,” he said.

Thol Thirumavalavan-led VCK will decide their support to Vijay's TVK in the formation of the government in the state later in the day, said the party spokesman on Saturday.

Thirumavalavan would make a formal announcement at 4 pm. Later in the day, KK Pavalan, VCK spokesman, said Thirumavalavan was authorised by the party's top brass on Friday evening to make such an announcement.