TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna made the clarification while reiterating the party’s invitation to the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and other allied groups to formally join the government. These parties, including the Communist Party of India and the Indian Union Muslim League, have so far extended only outside support despite being part of the governing alliance.
Arjuna, who serves as Public Works Department and Sports Minister, declined to provide specific details regarding an anticipated cabinet expansion, stating that TVK chief Vijay would make an official announcement shortly. He further confirmed that the Congress, the largest partner among the allies with five legislative seats, is expected to share power in the government.
He noted that the Communist Party of India (Marxist), VCK, Communist Party of India, and Indian Union Muslim League collectively hold eight seats, with each party contributing two members to the assembly. According to Arjuna, Chief Minister Vijay has repeatedly extended an invitation for these parties to join the cabinet, describing it as his “wish and ambition.”
Reaffirming TVK’s ideological position, Arjuna stated that the party would continue to uphold principles of social justice. He also alleged that certain factions within the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami had attempted to form a coalition to overturn the mandate delivered in the April 23 election. Reports had suggested a potential AIADMK-led power arrangement with outside support from DMK following a fractured electoral outcome.
The election resulted in TVK securing 108 of the 234 assembly seats, falling short of the 118-seat majority mark by 10 seats. The fragmented mandate triggered intense political negotiations, including reported discussions between two long-standing rivals, DMK and AIADMK, which have dominated Tamil Nadu politics for over six decades.
Ultimately, TVK formed the government with support from Congress, VCK, CPI, CPI(M), and IUML, enabling Vijay to complete a rare transition from cinema to politics and become the first actor-politician to assume the office of Chief Minister in Tamil Nadu since J. Jayalalithaa more than a decade ago.
Arjuna stated that the alliance partners had united to “save democracy,” while also targeting AIADMK leadership, particularly Edappadi K. Palaniswami, accusing his political decisions, including renewed alignment with the Bharatiya Janata Party despite earlier electoral setbacks, of contributing to the party’s defeat. He further claimed that sections of AIADMK workers had recognized the decision as misguided and shifted support toward TVK.
Referring to 25 rebel AIADMK Members of the Legislative Assembly who defied party leadership to support TVK in the recent trust vote, Arjuna identified the group as being led by CV Shanmugam. He asserted that their decision was driven by political conviction rather than the pursuit of power and added that they would announce their future course of action at an appropriate time. He also emphasized that elected representatives retain the right to choose their political alignment.
The numerical balance of power within the government remains fragile. TVK currently holds 107 seats after Vijay vacated the Trichy (East) constituency, one of the two seats he had won. Including Congress’ five seats and the eight seats collectively held by VCK, CPI, CPI(M), and IUML, the alliance reaches 120 seats, just above the 118-seat majority threshold.
However, the entry of approximately 25 rebel AIADMK legislators could significantly strengthen the coalition. Even if their inclusion leads to the exit of both left-wing parties and VCK, the ruling alliance would still maintain a comfortable margin of 19 seats above the majority requirement, reshaping the political stability of Vijay’s government.
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