Vijay’s Bid to Form Tamil Nadu Government Collapses as Coalition Support Crumbles Amid Political Deadlock

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), which together hold three legislative seats, formally announced that they will not, at this stage, extend support to TVK. Two of these seats had been expected to push the alliance toward the majority threshold of 118 in the state assembly, a key requirement for government formation.

The collapse of this support came shortly after Vijay met Governor R. V. Arlekar, who reportedly insisted on submission of 118 formal letters of support rather than accepting verbal claims of majority backing. This demand significantly complicated TVK’s claim to form the government.

Attention then shifted to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), which has two elected legislators. Party leader Thol Thirumavalavan remained non-committal for much of the negotiations. Earlier discussions between VCK, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M. K. Stalin reportedly saw Stalin granting parties the freedom to choose their political alignment.

TVK subsequently reached out to CPI, CPM, VCK, and IUML, with eight seats reportedly in play. The party required at least six additional seats, with the Congress having already extended support through its five legislators.

Negotiations remained uncertain through Thursday as CPI and CPM leaned toward external, issue-based support rather than formal coalition participation. VCK, meanwhile, signaled internal division, with reports indicating demands for a deputy chief minister post for Thirumavalavan.

By Friday, VCK temporarily reversed its position and agreed to support TVK from within the alliance. Combined with Congress and Left parties, this brought TVK’s claimed support base to 119 seats, exceeding the majority mark.

However, the situation quickly deteriorated. Despite initial optimism, IUML and AMMK withdrew support, followed by VCK’s reversal amid shifting negotiations. Vijay, who had also approached the Governor with what he believed was backing of 121 seats, was left without a workable majority for a third time.

With the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly term ending on May 10, the failure to secure a majority places the state in a critical constitutional position, raising the possibility of fresh elections if a government is not formed in time.