Chennai, May 8 Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay continued to face political uncertainty on Friday after Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar declined to invite him to form the government, citing the lack of confirmed majority support in the 234-member Assembly.
In a key political development, Vijay met the Governor at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Friday evening and officially staked claim to form the next government in the state.
The actor-turned-politician submitted letters of support from Congress, the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist). However, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), considered crucial allies, had not yet provided written support to the Governor.
According to sources close to Raj Bhavan, Vijay was informed that he could not be invited to form the government until he demonstrated clear majority support on paper.
“Joseph Vijay has not yet established majority backing. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam currently has the support of 116 MLAs. No formal letters were submitted by VCK, IUML, or any additional parties. Therefore, he has not been invited to take oath on Saturday or Sunday,” Raj Bhavan sources said following the meeting.
The delay has extended the suspense surrounding government formation in Tamil Nadu, nearly four days after the Assembly election results delivered a fractured mandate.
TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the April 23 elections with 108 seats but fell short of the majority mark.
Meanwhile, the party has intensified efforts behind the scenes to secure additional support and avoid the possibility of rival political alliances taking shape.
Vijay was accompanied during the meeting by senior TVK leaders N. Anand and K.A. Sengottaiyan. KVN Productions founder and “Jana Nayagan” producer Venkat K. Narayana was also present.
Unlike his previous interaction with the Governor on May 6, which reportedly occurred in a tense atmosphere, Friday’s meeting appeared more cordial. Vijay greeted Governor Arlekar with a traditional “Vanakkam” and presented him with a bouquet and shawl before discussions commenced.
