
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 12:10 PM IST
Watch: Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as Bengal Chief Minister
Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal since Independence, marking a major political shift in the state.
- 9 May 2026 12:02 PM IST
Five ministers join Suvendu Adhikari in Bengal
Only five ministers were sworn in, apart from Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. They were former state BJP president Dilip Ghosh, who was inducted largely because of his seniority; Agnimitra Paul, seen as representing women in the cabinet; Ashok Kirtania, representing the Matua community; Khudiram Tudu, representing tribal communities; and Nisith Pramanik, representing the Rajbanshi community.
- 9 May 2026 11:57 AM IST
Vanni Arasu says VCK will emerge as key political force
VCK leader Vanni Arasu on Saturday said his party will emerge as a significant political entity holding the central position.
His cryptic remark comes amidst TVK chief Vijay likely to meet Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumalavalan today to seek the Dalit party's support in forming the new government.
In a post on 'X', VCK deputy general secretary Vanni Arasu said "even if one tries to marginalise or alienate us, we will emerge as a central force", indicating that VCK will be a deciding factor.
- 9 May 2026 11:39 AM IST
BJP leaders sworn in as ministers in West Bengal
Senior BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Nisith Pramanik, and Khudiram Tudu were sworn in as ministers on Saturday during the oath-taking ceremony of the new BJP government in West Bengal.
The ceremony, held in the presence of senior party leaders and supporters, marked the formal induction of key members into the new state cabinet.
- 9 May 2026 11:33 AM IST
Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as West Bengal CM
Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal. He is the first BJP Chief Minister of the State.
- 9 May 2026 11:21 AM IST
PM Modi felicitates veteran BJP worker in Bengal
Narendra Modi on Saturday felicitated veteran BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar and sought his blessings during an event in West Bengal.
Sarkar, now 98, is regarded as one of the BJP’s most senior grassroots workers in the state and has remained associated with nationalist politics since the early years after Independence.
In 1952, Sarkar was arrested in Kashmir while accompanying Syama Prasad Mukherjee during the movement to hoist the Indian tricolour there, a chapter often recalled in the party’s political history.
- 9 May 2026 11:19 AM IST
Watch: PM Modi, Suvendu Adhikari pay tribute to Tagore
Narendra Modi and Chief Minister-designate Suvendu Adhikari pay floral tribute to Rabindranath Tagore on Gurudev’s birth anniversary.
- 9 May 2026 10:55 AM IST
PM Modi arrives at Brigade for Bengal oath ceremony
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Brigade Parade Ground on Saturday as the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in West Bengal got underway amid tight security and large crowds.
Senior BJP leaders and party workers were present at the venue as preparations for the ceremony reached their final stages.
Suvendu Adhikari is set to take oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, marking a major political moment in the state.
- 9 May 2026 10:42 AM IST
Watch: Crowds gather at Brigade ground for Suvendu Adhikari's oath ceremony
Crowds pour into Brigade Parade Ground as thousands gather for the swearing-in of Suvendu Adhikari as Chief Minister of West Bengal.
- 9 May 2026 10:33 AM IST
PM Modi reaches Kolkata racecourse, heads to Brigade ground
Narendra Modi arrived at the Racecourse after landing at Kolkata Airport on Saturday, according to local reports. From there, he is expected to proceed to Brigade Parade Ground, where preparations were underway ahead of his scheduled appearance.

