LIVE | No numbers? No clarity on Vijay's swearing-in yet
After days of negotiations and talks of DMK-AIADMK alliance, Vijay's TVK claims the support of majority MLAs, but no word from Governor's Office yet
For Vijay and TVK, the numbers are not just adding up.
According to multiple reports, Vijay has not been invited to take the oath tomorrow, contrary to earlier reports. The reason: he couldn't prove that he has the support of 118 MLAs. It is learnt that TVK has failed to produce the letter of support from VCK and IUML. Interestingly, IUML has issued a statement, saying that it has not decided to back TVK to form the government.
Also read | No invite for Vijay's TVK: Why experts say TN Governor is overstepping
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar asked Vijay to return with proof of support from at least 118 MLAs, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Meanwhile, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Friday dismissed speculation over a possible alliance between the DMK and AIADMK, saying such a political arrangement was highly unlikely. Speaking in Chennai, he said both parties have remained major political rivals in Tamil Nadu for decades, making the prospect of an alliance difficult.
Scroll below for Live updates.
Live Updates
- 8 May 2026 5:08 PM IST
CPI: We have agreed to support TVK
CPI General Secretary D Raja says, "TVK approached CPI, CPI(M) and VCK in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu unit of our party has taken a position in consultation with the national leadership of our party. We have agreed to extend support to TVK to form the government. We have also asked the Governor to invite the leader of the single-largest party TVK, to form the government."
- 8 May 2026 4:54 PM IST
Suvendu Adhikari to be new CM of Bengal
Suvendu Adhikari elected BJP's legislature party leader, new Chief Minister of West Bengal. The swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government will be held at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on May 9.
"I announce the name of Suvendu Adhikari elected as Leader of West Bengal BJP Legislative Party,” said Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- 8 May 2026 4:18 PM IST
TVK chief Vijay seeks meeting with TN Governor at 4.30 pm
Political developments in Tamil Nadu gathered pace on Friday as TVK chief Vijay sought an appointment to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at 4.30 pm amid the ongoing uncertainty over government formation, reported ANI.
At the same time, TVK leader CTR Nirmal Kumar reached Balan Illam, the CPI, where the party’s executive committee was meeting to decide whether to extend support to Vijay.
TVK emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly election but fell short of the 118-seat majority required to form a government in the 234-member House. Vijay has since been reaching out to other parties to secure the numbers. The Congress has already extended conditional support after ending its alliance with the DMK, taking the TVK-led alliance to 112 with the support of five Congress MLAs.
The CPI (M) and CPI, which have two MLAs each, also held meetings on Friday to decide their stand. Thol. Thirumavalavan also called a high-level meeting of the VCK, scheduled for 5 pm through Zoom, to decide whether the party will support TVK. VCK also has two MLAs. Support from CPI, CPI(M) and VCK would take the alliance to the majority mark.
Meanwhile, several parties have urged Governor Arlekar to invite Vijay to form the government and prove his majority through a floor test in the Assembly. The Governor had met Vijay on Thursday and asked him to furnish details of legislators backing TVK’s claim before making a decision.
- 8 May 2026 3:42 PM IST
CPI, CPM, VCK MLAs back TVK; joint announcement at 4.30 pm: Report
The Working Committee of the Communist Party of India and the State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have both decided to back the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), according to reports. In addition, two MLAs from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi are also set to extend their support. Representatives of all three parties are scheduled to address the media at 4.30 pm, where the formal announcement is expected to be made.
- 8 May 2026 3:26 PM IST
Congress submits Kerala CLP report, leadership decision next
Following the Congress-led UDF’s victory in Kerala, the party has formally begun the process of choosing its Legislature Party leader. AICC observer Ajay Maken said the Kerala CLP unanimously passed a one-line resolution authorising the Congress leadership to make the final decision, and that the observers have submitted their report to the party high command.
“On May 4, the election results were announced,” Maken said. He added that after being assigned the responsibility along with Deepa Dasmunshi, the observers met the CLP on May 7 and “today we have submitted our report to the leadership of the Congress president.”
Explaining the decision, Maken said, “Resolution has been passed... unanimously authorising the Congress leadership to select the CLP leader.”
He also said the observers held one-on-one discussions with MLAs. “Whatever they said, we noted it down... and we have submitted it to the high command.”
Reacting to a viral photograph linked to leadership speculation, Mukul Wasnik dismissed the claims, saying, “I’ve seen it... it is incorrect, it is not based on facts.”
The UDF’s victory in Kerala has positioned the Congress for a major political comeback in the state.
- 8 May 2026 2:38 PM IST
CPI urges the Governor to follow the convention in Tamil Nadu
As uncertainty over government formation gripped Tamil Nadu, CPI General Secretary D. Raja on Friday said Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar must act in line with democratic convention and invite TVK, the single largest party, to form the government.
"We want the Governor to invite the single largest party, TVK, to form the government. The Governor must follow the established practices and conventions in our parliamentary democratic system."
Raja declined to comment on speculation around a possible AIADMK-DMK understanding, saying, "I do not know whether AIADMK and DMK are coming together or not."
As TVK chief Vijay worked to secure numbers after a fractured verdict, Left parties held key meetings in Chennai. CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam said, "Our party is in the process of decision-making. We will make a correct decision today itself."
- 8 May 2026 2:26 PM IST
Trump hails PM Modi after BJP’s historic Bengal victory
US President Donald Trump congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the BJP’s breakthrough victory in West Bengal, a result that has ended Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year dominance in the state.
The remarks were conveyed by White House spokesman Kush Desai and later amplified by the US Embassy in India. "Just last month on their phone call," Desai said, Trump spoke of his admiration for Modi, adding that "India is lucky to have him as its leader."
Desai went further, stating: "The President congratulates Prime Minister Modi on this recent, historic, and decisive election victory."
- 8 May 2026 1:48 PM IST
Kanimozhi writes to Speaker seeking new seating arrangement after DMK exits INDIA bloc
DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has written a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking a change in seating arrangement, stating that the DMK is no longer part of the INDIA bloc. The move comes after the Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and decided to extend support to Vijay’s TVK, which fell short of the majority mark in the recently held Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
- 8 May 2026 1:30 PM IST
TVK Mylapore MLA-elect Venkataramanan says party will form govt soon
TVK Mylapore MLA-elect P Venkataramanan on Friday (May 8) expressed absolute confidence in the party's ability to form the government, asserting that the party possesses the necessary numbers to cross the majority mark.
Speaking to reporters amid intensifying speculation over government formation, Venkataramanan dismissed concerns regarding the party's lack of a majority.
When pressed by journalists on whether the party had secured the definitive figures required for a stable mandate, he replied with a firm "sure".
Responding to queries regarding the schedule for the swearing-in ceremony, the Treasurer stated that an official announcement would be made shortly. "We will update you in another hour's time," he told reporters.
TVK Treasurer Venkataramanan remained tight-lipped on specific alliances.
- 8 May 2026 1:16 PM IST
Kerala CM selection: Congress observers submit report to high command
Congress central observers for Kerala CM selection, Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, have submitted their report to the Congress president along with the resolution passed by the CLP authorising the high command to choose the CLP chief.
“Each MLA’s preference for the Chief Minister, as well as the views of allies, is part of the report. The final decision now rests with the high command. The process will be completed very soon,” Wasnik said.
On a photograph circulating on social media showing Wasnik carrying a list with ‘KC’ mentioned as the preference cited by KPCC chief and MLA Sunny Joseph, Wasnik said the image “does not reflect the factual picture and is incorrect.”
