Live: What's brewing in TN? DMK 'asks' Stalin to take decision for a 'stable' govt

Kapil Sibal slams TN Governor

In a post on X, Supreme Court lawyer Kapil Sibal severely criticised the Tamil Nadu Governor for not allowing Vijay to form the government in Tamil Nadu. "Governors are agents of BJP. They maul the constitution to serve BJP’s interests. Call Vijay (leader of single largest party). Swear him in as CM," he wrote. 

Tamil Nadu Governor assures Vijay, no other party to be invited

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday assured TVK chief Vijay that no other party would be invited to form the government while his claim remained under consideration, amid intense post-poll negotiations in the state,reported India Today.

Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly but remains short of the 118-seat majority mark. Constitutional convention in hung Assemblies generally gives the single largest party the first opportunity to prove its majority on the floor of the House. Vijay has already submitted letters of support from allies as he continues talks with smaller parties.

BJP denies role in govt formation row, says TVK must prove majority

The BJP has denied any role, as Tamil Nadu's Governor RV Arlekar remains unconvinced that actor Vijay has enough support to form the next government after his blockbuster election debut. If the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) proves its majority, the governor will accept their proposal, said Narayanan Thirupathy, state BJP spokesperson.

"It's a fractured verdict. TVK doesn't have a majority. They must prove their majority. The TVK can explore its chances. If he proves a majority, the governor will constitutionally accept it. There is no confusion with the Raj Bhavan or the governor. He will go by the Constitution," he told news agency PTI.

Thirupathy rejected claims that attempts are being made to pressure Vijay since he had been opposing the BJP. "This is a democratic country. Elections happen here in a democratic way. Mr Vijay of the TVK has more seats. Everything will happen democratically. How can somebody pressure (someone)? These are all political rehtorics. I don't think that is right. Whatever is constitutionally applicable will happen," said the BJP leader.

Union minister Pradhan condemns murder of Suvendu aide

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday condemned the murder of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's personal assistant Chandranath Rath, asserting that the incident reflected a "blood-soaked political culture" in West Bengal under the Trinamool Congress regime.

Rath was shot dead by bike-borne men who intercepted his vehicle near Doltala in Madhyamgram around 10.30 pm on Wednesday, forced it to stop and opened fire at point-blank range before fleeing.

In a post on X, Pradhan termed the killing a "cold-blooded, barbaric and cowardly execution by TMC goons" and alleged that BJP workers and supporters in the state had repeatedly been targeted, attacked and killed for refusing to surrender to "TMC's politics of fear and intimidation".

"The brutal murder of Chandranath Rath, aide to Suvendu Adhikari ji, is yet another grim reminder of the blood-soaked political culture unleashed by Mamata Banerjee and the TMC in West Bengal," he said in the post.

He further alleged that this was "not isolated violence, but a deliberate ecosystem of terror designed to crush democratic opposition." In a statement, Pradhan said the TMC was resorting to "threats, brutality and political bloodshed" as it faced declining support in the state.

DMK-Congress rift reshapes Tamil Nadu power battle

Tamil Nadu politics has entered a volatile new phase after the 2026 Assembly results, with the long-standing DMK-Congress alliance showing signs of a serious rupture after Congress extended conditional support to TVK.

TVK, led by Vijay, won 108 seats, falling just short of a majority, making Congress’ five seats crucial in the race to form the government. The development has turned the state into a high-stakes political battleground.

The DMK reacted sharply, accusing Congress of betrayal after decades of alliance politics that shaped several electoral victories in the state. The fallout marks a significant break in one of Tamil Nadu’s most enduring political partnerships.

At the same time, VCK, CPI, and CPI(M) are weighing their options, while AIADMK has begun quietly exploring possible openings. With no clear majority, coalition negotiations, shifting loyalties, and new power equations are now reshaping Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.

TVK win explained: Cash for votes failed? | Arappor Iyakkam’s Jayaraman

A political analyst said TVK’s victory signals a shift in Tamil Nadu’s electoral politics, with many voters choosing candidates based on everyday concerns rather than cash handouts or traditional party loyalty. The rise of Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam reflected a growing willingness to look beyond the long-dominant DMK-ADMK divide and back a new alternative. While cash-for-votes practices were still visible in parts of the state, voters often accepted money but made independent choices at the ballot box. The analyst said money politics has not disappeared, but its influence may be weakening. Expectations are now high for the new government to deliver on anti-corruption promises and governance reforms.

D Raja says TVK seeks CPI support, Left yet to decide

CPI General Secretary D Raja confirms that TVK has formally written to the communist party seeking support to form the government in Tamil Nadu , but says the party is yet to take a position. He adds that the CPI(M) and VCK are also in consultation, and that any support will hinge on the TVK clearly stating its ideological and governance stance.

We received request; will decide soon whether to support TVK: Thirumavalavan

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Thursday said that his party received a request from TVK for support and the high-level committee of his party will decide whether to support the Vijay-led party to form the government.

The TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly and emerged as the single largest party. Vijay will have to resign from one of the two constituencies he has won.

Though the Congress party, which has five MLAs, has extended support to TVK, the actor-politician-led party was still short of as many seats to touch the magic number of 118, the majority mark in the 234-member House.

"We received the request letter from TVK. We are thankful for that. We have not ignored his (Vijay's) request. We have a procedure. Therefore, our party's high-level committee will decide soon. We are going to discuss the merits and demerits of our position," the VCK leader told reporters here.

With regard to the delay in the governor's call to the TVK, which is the single largest party, to form the government, Thirumavalavan requested the governor to invite Vijay to form the government. "It is a constitutional right and people's verdict," he added.

Asserting that the governor cannot say that Vijay should hold 118 MLAs' support now itself to form the government, he said that after taking over power, Vijay has to prove an absolute majority only on the floor of the Assembly. 

Police barricade Marina road amid possible TVK protest

Police deployed barricades on roads leading to Marina Beach amid reports of a possible TVK protest demanding that Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar invite TVK chief Vijay to form the government.

‘Govt decided on House floor, not Lok Bhavan’: Congress

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee on Thursday took a jibe at TN Governor for not letting TVK chief Vijay form government without majority.

Taking to X, the party said, “Governments are not decided on the lawns of Lok bhavan. They are decided on the floor of the House.” 

Congress also said that Tamil Nadu’s mandate must be respected and waragainst any attempt to undermine the democratic verdict delivered by the people. “Tamil Nadu people’s mandate is loud and clear. Respect it. Do not attempt to undermine or negate the democratic voice of Tamil Nadu.”

The second round of meetings between Vijay and Tamil Nadu governor comes a day after the TVK chief staked a claim to form government in the state. The development took place after the Tamil Nadu Congress confirmed its post-poll alliance with TVK.