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 9:25 AM IST
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta hails ‘new era’ as Bengal gets BJP govt.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta arrived in Kolkata on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal.
Speaking to reporters upon her arrival, Gupta said she was “very happy for Bengal,” especially for “its daughters who endured 15 years of atrocities.” She described the day as a turning point for the state, expressing hope for an era marked by “development and faith.”
Gupta also took aim at the previous administration, saying “corruption and atrocities have ended” with the formation of the Adhikari-led government in West Bengal.
- 9 May 2026 9:23 AM IST
Watch: Bengali folk music artists perform at Suvendu Adhikari oath ceremony venue
The atmosphere at the Brigade Parade Ground turned festive ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari as the next Chief Minister of West Bengal, with artists performing traditional Bengali folk songs before thousands of supporters and guests.
The cultural performances, rooted in Bengal’s rich musical heritage, set the tone for the landmark political event as crowds gathered at the historic venue for the oath-taking ceremony.
- 9 May 2026 9:21 AM IST
Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary hails BJP's Bengal mandate
Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary arrived in Kolkata on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari as West Bengal’s Chief Minister.
Calling it a “historic occasion,” Chaudhary said he was remembering Rabindranath Tagore while also thanking the people of the state for delivering what he described as a “historic mandate.”
Expressing optimism about the new administration, the Union Minister said he expected “the pace of development to go up” under the incoming government. He also congratulated the BJP and its grassroots workers, adding that the moment would “give a lot of impetus to the entire NDA family.”
- 9 May 2026 9:18 AM IST
Suvendu Adhikari calls BJP rule Bengal’s ‘historic dawn’
West Bengal Chief Minister-designate Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday described the BJP’s assumption of power in the state as a “historic dawn,” as preparations got underway for the swearing-in of the party’s first government in West Bengal since Independence.
In a post on social media, Adhikari welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kolkata, calling the occasion one of “profound pride and jubilation.” He said the new government marked the end of decades of “misrule” and the beginning of a “Double Engine” era focused on development, peace and prosperity.
Adhikari also declared the formal start of “Sonar Bangla,” describing the day as the fulfilment of a long-held political aspiration.
- 9 May 2026 9:14 AM IST
‘A day 75 years in the making,’ Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh
As the BJP prepared to formally take office, senior party leader Dilip Ghosh struck an emotional note, framing the moment as the culmination of decades of political struggle.
Speaking on the morning of the swearing-in ceremony, Ghosh told supporters, “We have waited 75 years for this day.” “With the blessings of the people,” he added, “the BJP has come to power.” His remarks reflected both the party’s sense of historical achievement and the symbolic weight attached to the new government’s formation.
- 9 May 2026 8:45 AM IST
Rahul Gandhi cancels Chennai visit: Reports
Rahul Gandhi has reportedly cancelled his planned visit to Chennai for the swearing-in ceremony of TVK leader Vijay. According to reports, the Congress leader was supposed to land in Chennai on Saturday morning, but cancelled his visit at the last minute after the Governor refused to invite Vijay to form the government.
- 9 May 2026 8:27 AM IST
VCK to back TVK: Reports
The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) is poised to support Joseph Vijay, clearing the way for a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government.
Holding two seats, the VCK is expected to submit a formal letter of support to the Governor. It is learnt that TVK has now 116 MLAs, and needs 2 more seats to form the government.
(Details awaited)
- 9 May 2026 7:29 AM IST
Suvendu Adhikari set to take over as West Bengal CM
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari will be the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal, marking a watershed moment in the state's political history after decades of resistance to saffron politics.
Adhikari has been unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday after a meeting of newly elected BJP MLAs and senior leaders, formally sealing the BJP’s emphatic capture of power in Bengal in the assembly polls.
Shortly after his election, Adhikari drove to Raj Bhavan and met Governor R N Ravi to stake a claim to form the new government. The governor invited him to take the oath as chief minister at Brigade Parade Ground on May 9.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah, chief ministers of NDA-ruled states are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony that the party hopes will underline Bengal’s political transition.
The elevation of 55-year-old Adhikari, once Mamata Banerjee’s closest political aide and organisational troubleshooter, represents not merely a change of government but the culmination of a dramatic political rupture that has reshaped Bengal’s political landscape over the past five years.
Addressing the legislature party meeting, Shah said, "Eight proposals were received, and all of them had only one name. Adequate time was given for a second name, but no other name was proposed. Therefore, I announce Suvendu Adhikari as the chief minister of West Bengal."
Congratulating Adhikari, Shah said he was confident the BJP leader would provide stable governance and fulfil the aspirations of Bengal’s people.
"I have known Suvendu ji for a long time. He is a fighter. He understands administration, and he has fought TMC at every step. I am fully confident that together with our team, he will provide good governance in Bengal. The struggle he undertook has now yielded results. The sacrifices of over 321 workers have borne fruit today," Shah said.
The home minister framed the BJP’s Bengal victory as an event with implications beyond state politics, linking it to issues of border security, infiltration and governance. "This victory is not merely about the BJP’s expansion or ideology. Nor is it only about the BJP-NDA forming a government in its 21st state. The biggest importance of this victory is that it plugs one of the biggest holes in India’s national security. Now infiltration and cow smuggling will become impossible in West Bengal," Shah asserted.
- 9 May 2026 7:26 AM IST
TVK offers 2 ministerial posts and Rajya Sabha seat to Congress
TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai has said that the Congress will be part of the new government in Tamil Nadu led by actor-politician Vijay-led TVK and claimed that it was offered two ministerial posts and one Rajya Sabha seat.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai after a statewide protest against the Governor's delay in inviting the single largest party (TVK) to form the government, Selvaperunthagai said the party top brass is currently finalising the details of their participation.
"They (TVK) have said two ministers and one Rajya Sabha member." However, the final decision on the number of portfolios and specific demands rests with the Congress national leadership, he said.
Dismissing concerns regarding a "hung assembly", the TNCC chief noted that the alliance has "almost reached" the required majority mark of 118 seats.
He assured that the government would be stable once the majority is proven on the floor of the House.
The TNCC chief criticised the Governor for the alleged delay in inviting the TVK to form the government.
While the Congress joined the TVK-led alliance with specific conditions, Selvaperunthagai noted that the CPI and CPI(M) have extended unconditional support from the outside rather than joining the coalition formally. He welcomed their support, noting that national leaders had been in discussion with the Left parties. Selvaperunthagai said that this alliance is not merely for the current government formation but is intended to continue through local body elections and the Parliamentary elections.
- 9 May 2026 7:08 AM IST
TVK has only 116 MLAs in its kitty: Report
According to multiple reports, Tamil Nadu Governor's office has confirmed that Vijay has not been invited to take the oath as Chief Minister on Saturday. It is learnt that TVK is still two seats short of the 118-member majority.
Despite intense negotiations with parties such as IUML and AMMK, the TVK leader has secured the support of only 116 MLAs. Consequently, he has failed to garner the required numbers.
The IUML has also decided not to support Vijay.
