The political deadlock in Tamil Nadu came to an end on Saturday, when Congress MP Manickam Tagore confirmed on X that the TVK-led coalition had reached the majority mark of 118 seats. The milestone followed the VCK’s decision to extend its support to C. Joseph Vijay, ending several days of uncertainty over who would form the next government.
To formalise it, VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan handed over the party’s letter of support to TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna. That cleared the final constitutional requirement set by Governor Rajendra Arlekar, who had asked for physical letters confirming the backing of 118 legislators.
A break from the Dravidian duopoly
The TVK-led government marks a significant shift after decades of DMK and AIADMK dominance. The multi-party coalition — including the Congress, VCK and the Left — takes the alliance to a combined 119 seats, counting the two won by Vijay himself. The Congress was the first to break from the DMK-led front to back the TVK, followed by the CPI and CPI(M), who lent their support to provide a stable alternative.
Preparing for the oath-taking
With the Governor satisfied on the numbers, attention turned to the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, where preparations began for the swearing-in. As the state readied for a first-of-its-kind multi-party cabinet, analysts noted that expectations on the new administration would be high.
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