Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (right) meets TVK chief Vijay in connection with securing an invite from the latter to form the government, at the Lok Bhavan, in Chennai on Saturday (May 9). Photo: PTI
LIVE! Vijay to be sworn in at 10 am on May 10; Kharge, Rahul to decide on Kerala CM
TVK stakes claim to form TN govt with 120 seats in its kitty; Congress meet on picking Kerala CM inconclusive; Suvendu Adhikari takes charge as West Bengal CM
Vijay’s 'numbers nightmare' is officially over. After a week-long scramble following his massive electoral debut, the actor-turned-politician has finally secured a majority (120), paving the way for Tamil Nadu’s first-ever coalition government with Vijay as Chief Minister.
Here is the TVK alliance break-up: 107 seats; Congress - 5; CPI - 2; CPM - 2; VCK- 2 seats; IUML - 2 seats
The breakthrough came when the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) officially pledged their support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), after days of uncertainty and alleged bargaining over plum posts.
Vijay is now meeting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar after the latter cancelled his visit to Kerala.
Suvendu takes over as Bengal CM
BJP legislature party leader Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the chief minister of West Bengal on Saturday (May 9), heading the first BJP government in the state.Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari at a grand ceremony held at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, chief ministers of NDA-ruled states and senior BJP leaders. The BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, ending the Trinamool Congress' 15-year rule in the state.
Here is a recap of all that happened in TN
In the Assembly elections, TVK won 108 constituencies, including Vijay's two seats, and emerged as the single largest party. TVK founder Vijay will have to resign from one of the two constituencies he has won, as per EC norms.
This reduces his party’s effective tally to 107. However, following hectic negotiations over the last few days, TVK managed to secure the support of Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML, taking its total to 120, well past the majority mark of 118.
Meanwhile, in a late-night development amid the negotiations on Friday, AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran denied that his party had extended support to Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and said it continues to remain in the NDA. The leader also accused the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam of submitting a "forged letter" to the Governor, falsely claiming support from AMMK’s sole MLA-elect, Kamaraj.
Vijay, who has already staked the claim to form the government, had a brief meeting with the Governor late Friday evening, their third in as many days.
Later, Vijay visited the offices of the CPI and the CPI (M) and thanked the Left leaders for their support for his party to form the government. It was his first visit to the Communist parties' offices. Left parties have asserted that they will support the TVK in forming the government while continuing their alliance with the DMK on broader political issues.
The Left parties, both part of the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu, said that the decision was taken in order to prevent BJP's "backdoor entry" into the state. They will continue with the DMK on the issue of state’s rights. The Communist parties announced that they will not be a part of the TVK cabinet.
West Bengal: What Suvendu said
West Bengal's chief minister-elect Suvendu Adhikari said the days of 'Sonar Bangla' have officially started with Saturday marking the beginning of a new era of "peace and prosperity" under a "double-engine" administration as the state's first BJP government is set to take charge.
"Today marks the end of decades of misrule and the beginning of a double-engine era of development, peace, and prosperity. The era of 'Sonar Bangla' officially begins," Adhikari posted on X. The BJP, which secured a sweeping victory in the recently concluded West Bengal assembly elections, is set to form its maiden government in the state.
Scroll down for all the LIVE updates
Live Updates
- 9 May 2026 5:10 PM IST
TVK reaches 120 as IUML extends support to Vijay too
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has also extended support to Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, helping it increase its tally further in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. With the IUML’s backing, the TVK's strength in the Assembly has reportedly risen to 120 seats. The IUML won two seats in the April 23 elections, including Vaniyambadi and Papanasam. To form government in Tamil Nadu, a party or alliance needs 118 seats.
- 9 May 2026 5:05 PM IST
Stalin reacts to Congress move, TVK support
DMK chief MK Stalin on Saturday reacted to recent political developments in Tamil Nadu, saying he had taken note of the announcement made by alliance partners regarding support for government formation.
In a post on X, Stalin said, “to avoid the current crisis, even if we express support for the Tamil Nadu Victory Federation to form the government, we continue in the DMK-led secular progressive alliance on the basis of policy.”
He also referred to the conduct of Congress legislators after the election results and raised questions over the party’s political stand.
“The Congress MLAs who contested and won on behalf of the alliance did not come to Anna Arivalayam to express their thanks. On the same day, the Congress party severed ties with the DMK and proceeded,” he added.
- 9 May 2026 4:37 PM IST
TVK's Aadhav Arjuna says VCK has given letter of support to his party
Aadhav Arjuna on Saturday said Thol Thirumavalavan has formally extended support to Vijay and issued a letter backing TVK.
With VCK’s support, Vijay is now set to lead a coalition government in Tamil Nadu.
- 9 May 2026 4:29 PM IST
DK Shivakumar defends Congress support to TVK
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Saturday defended the Congress party’s decision to support TVK in Tamil Nadu, saying the move was guided by the party’s broader political objectives.
Responding to questions on the alliance decision, Shivakumar said, "Whatever decision has been taken by my party has been done to keep the forces out of power, that is the only intention. Ultimately, we want secular forces to be out..."
He also commented on the party’s performance in the Puducherry elections and said the Congress would work to rebuild its political position.
"We will revive the political situation in future. We know that some late decisions have been taken. Definitely, in the interest of the party we will revive and have a proper political mapping in future," he said.
- 9 May 2026 4:25 PM IST
TN Governor to leave for Thiruvananthapuram tonight
Amid fast-moving political developments in Tamil Nadu, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is scheduled to leave for Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday evening, stated reports.
The governor is set to depart from Chennai at 7.10 p.m. on May 9, 2026, even as Vijay continues efforts to secure support for government formation in the state.
- 9 May 2026 3:30 PM IST
EPS meets AIADMK MLAs in Chennai
AIADMK chief EPS on Saturday held a meeting with party MLAs at his residence in Chennai.
- 9 May 2026 2:39 PM IST
Sanjay Raut targets Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari, BJP hits back
Sanjay Raut on Saturday criticised the BJP after Suvendu Adhikari took oath as chief minister of West Bengal, alleging that the party continued to reward leaders facing corruption allegations.
Speaking to reporters, Raut referred to earlier allegations linked to Adhikari and said, “After that, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided Adhikari (who was then with the TMC), following which he joined the BJP and now he is the CM.”
He also questioned the BJP’s political choices, adding, “The stain on Adhikari is yet to be washed.”
“The BJP has kept up its tradition of giving power to corrupt people. It has to be lauded for this consistency,” Raut said.
The BJP responded sharply, with spokesperson Navnath Ban defending Adhikari and targeting Raut personally. “Suvendu Adhikari has not been found guilty, but Sanjay Raut has been to jail,” Ban said while rejecting the allegations.
- 9 May 2026 2:31 PM IST
Narendra Modi congratulates Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Suvendu Adhikari after he was sworn in as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal.
Adhikari took the oath at Brigade Parade Ground in the presence of Modi, senior BJP leaders, Union ministers and chief ministers from NDA-ruled states. The ceremony marked a major political shift in the state.
Following the event, Modi shared a message on X praising Adhikari’s political journey and connection with the people. “Congratulations to Suvendu Adhikari Ji on taking oath as West Bengal's chief minister. He has made a mark as a leader who remained deeply connected to the people and understood their aspirations from close quarters,” Modi wrote.
“My best wishes to him for a fruitful tenure ahead,” he added while sharing photographs from the swearing-in ceremony.
- 9 May 2026 2:23 PM IST
Ex-IPS oifficer moves Supreme Court over TVK govt formation row
A retired IPS officer on Saturday approached the Supreme Court, challenging the decision of R. N. Ravi Arlekar not to invite Vijay to form the government in Tamil Nadu despite TVK emerging as the single largest party in the Assembly elections.
The petition was filed by retired IPS officer M. Ramasubramani, who previously served as Additional Director General of Police and Inspector General of Police. The plea argued that the governor’s stand effectively amounts to deciding the issue of majority outside the legislative assembly, which it described as unconstitutional.
According to the petition, TVK should be allowed to demonstrate its majority on the floor of the House, and the governor cannot deny the party that constitutional process.
TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly in the April 23 elections, emerging as the single largest party. Although the Congress, with five MLAs, has extended support, the party remains short of the majority mark of 118.
Vijay has met the governor twice, seeking an invitation to form the government, but no such invitation has been issued so far. On Friday, another petition filed by TVK member Ezhilarasi K also challenged the governor’s decision, arguing that the failure to invite Vijay violated Articles 12 and 32 of the Constitution.
- 9 May 2026 2:17 PM IST
CPI(M) general secretary M. A. Baby says TVK must get chance to form govt
M. A. Baby on Saturday said the mandate in Tamil Nadu should be respected and asserted that TVK, which emerged as the single largest party, must be allowed to form the government.
Speaking on the post-election political situation, Baby said, “TVK, which was given the mandate by the people, but remains 11 short of majority. If they are not being allowed to form a government, then it is clear sabotage of the democratic and electoral process initiated from Delhi or Nagpur, I don't know.”
He also said Tamil Nadu had historically resisted ideological forces associated with the RSS and expressed hope that Vijay would maintain that position. “So far, Tamil Nadu has resisted fascistic RSS, and this has to continue. We wish and hope Vijay will also take a fair position on this, and we believe him on this,” he said.
Referring to other political developments, Baby added, “There was a move to have a govt led by AIADMK, which is being rejected by the people...”
