Key Provisions / Legal Framework

Tamil Nadu Government Formation: A Complex Dance of Alliances

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) national president K.M. Kader Mohideen on Saturday (May 9, 2026) extended unconditional support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the government in Tamil Nadu. In identically worded letters, similar to those sent by the Left parties and addressed to the Governor, Mr. Thirumavalavan and Mr. Mohideen said their respective parties extended unconditional support to the TVK, under the leadership of party president C. Joseph Vijay, to form the government. Both parties have two MLAs-elect each. They contested as a part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance. ​”We have extended our support to ensure that the VCK does not become an obstacle to Mr. Vijay’s TVK — which has secured 108 seats — forming the government, and to prevent the imposition of President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu,” Mr. Thirumavalavan said, adding: “Our alliance within the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance will continue. As a political party, we have taken this decision by exercising our independent right. This will not affect our relationship with the DMK.”

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) is yet to officially announce their support as uncertainty looms over the formation of a new government in Tamil Nadu. The BJP State president Nainar Nagenthran on Friday (May 8, 2026) said his party will not support any of the formations attempting to form the government in Tamil Nadu following the 2026 Assembly election, in which no party or alliance secured a simple majority in the 234-member House. Mr. Nagenthran also clarified the lone BJP MLA-elect would not vote for any of the formations attempting to form the government.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly's rules of business, as per the Tamil Nadu Assembly Rules of Procedure, require the Governor to invite the leader of the party or coalition with the majority to form the government. However, in the event of a hung verdict, the Governor has the discretion to invite any party or coalition that can command a majority. The Indian Constitution's Article 356 empowers the President to impose President's Rule in a state if the Governor is satisfied that the government of the state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

• ▸The Governor's discretion in inviting parties to form the government is guided by the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which provides for the disqualification of MLAs who defect from one party to another.
• ▸The Tamil Nadu Assembly's rules of business also provide for the Speaker to decide on the validity of MLAs' votes in the event of a hung verdict.
• ▸The Indian Constitution's Article 163 empowers the Governor to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers, but in the event of a hung verdict, the Governor may exercise their discretion to invite any party or coalition that can command a majority.

The Numbers That Matter

The TVK has secured 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, while the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance