'Unacceptable': DMK, CPI show Vijay support as government formation delayed
What's the story
Political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and Communist Party of India (CPI), have rallied behind actor-politician Vijay. This comes after Governor RV Arlekar reportedly refused to allow Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the government. During a meeting with Vijay on Thursday, their second time, the governor explained that the requisite majority support in the legislative assembly, essential for forming the government, has not been established.
Political backlash
Kamal Haasan slams Governor, calls it 'disrespect' to Tamil Nadu
MNM leader Kamal Haasan slammed the Governor for not inviting Vijay to form the government, calling it a "disrespect" to Tamil Nadu's mandate. He wrote on X, "The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Mr Vijay, has won 108 seats. Not inviting him to form the government would amount to disrespecting the mandate of the people of Tamil Nadu. 233 elected members are still unable to take their oaths. This is an insult to the state."
Majority debate
DMK, CPI leaders also back Vijay's claim
DMK leader A Sarvanan also supported Vijay's claim. "If there are no pre-poll alliances which would have garnered the majority, then he should go with the single largest party," he said. CPI Tamil Nadu State Secretary M Veerapandian also urged the governor to allow TVK to prove its majority on the assembly floor. He said it was not appropriate for the Governor to insist on proving a majority before swearing-in.
BJP stance
BJP insists TVK must prove majority 1st
However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has insisted that TVK must prove its majority before the Governor. Narayanan Thirupathy of the BJP said, "It's a fractured verdict, and we all know that TVK did not have a majority, and they have to prove it. If he (Vijay) proves that he has a majority, the Governor will accept it...Whatever is constitutionally applicable will happen."
Support prospects
Vijay reportedly counting on support from CPI, smaller Tamil parties
The TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the recent elections, winning 108 seats but fell short of a majority even with support from the Congress, which won five seats. Vijay is reportedly counting on support from the Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), and smaller Tamil parties like VCK and PMK. But their support remains unsure.
Twitter Post
Congress plans demonstrations over government formation delay
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai has called for massive protest demonstrations across district headquarters in Tamil Nadu on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 11 am, condemning the BJP-led Union Government and the Governor for acting against the Constitution by… pic.twitter.com/7uCfjnLKsv
— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2026