Tamil Nadu actor-turned-politician Vijay is poised to become the state’s next Chief Minister after securing the support required to cross the majority mark in the newly elected Assembly, ending days of intense political negotiations and uncertainty over government formation.
Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections with 108 seats, had initially fallen short of the 118-member threshold needed to form the government. The crisis deepened after Governor R.N. Ravi Arlekar reportedly insisted that Vijay submit formal letters of support from at least 118 legislators before being invited to stake claim.
The breakthrough came after multiple rounds of talks between TVK leaders, Left parties, and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK). The Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the VCK officially extended their support to Vijay’s party, each contributing their MLAs to the coalition effort. The Congress party had already announced the support of its five MLAs earlier, helping TVK finally cross the majority mark.
Armed with letters of support from allied parties, Vijay met Governor Arlekar for the third time on Wednesday in what sources described as a brief but crucial meeting. During the meeting, Vijay formally submitted documents proving majority support and staked claim to form the government. Political sources now expect the swearing-in ceremony to take place soon.
The support extended by the Left parties has added a significant ideological dimension to Vijay’s rise. Addressing reporters jointly, senior Communist leaders defended their decision to support TVK despite being associated with the DMK-led alliance during the election campaign. They argued that democratic principles required allowing the single largest party an opportunity to govern rather than creating an impression that opposition parties had blocked the formation of a government.
Left leaders also made it clear that their support would not be unconditional. They called on Vijay to become a strong voice for Tamil Nadu’s rights in future political battles and pledged support from democratic forces if he pursued policies aligned with state interests. At the same time, they warned that they would oppose any move perceived as weakening state autonomy or undermining public welfare.
The political developments triggered massive celebrations outside the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai, where supporters gathered in large numbers chanting slogans in Vijay’s favor. The atmosphere resembled a festival as party workers celebrated the prospect of seeing the popular film star occupy the Chief Minister’s office for the first time.
Vijay’s rise marks one of the most dramatic political transitions in recent Tamil Nadu history, transforming a film icon into the leader of a coalition-backed government within a remarkably short period. His expected swearing-in is now being closely watched across India as a defining moment in the evolution of regional politics and celebrity-driven electoral movements.
