Mr. Vijay's TVK will move to build a coalition in Tamil Nadu. Congress could gain two cabinet seats

3 minute learnUp to date: Could 5, 2026 01:54 PM (IST)

Tamil Nadu is gearing up for one thing not seen in many years: a coalition assembled not solely via adaptation but in addition via arithmetic, with early indicators of an unconventional energy construction, together with plans to herald former IAS officer U. Sagayam via a by-election.

Consideration shortly shifted from celebrations to building as Mr. Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) fell in need of a majority of 118 votes within the 234-member meeting. By Tuesday morning, when Mr. Vijay visited the celebration workplace and convened a gathering with the newly elected MLAs, the contours of a coalition authorities had been already in sight.

The numbers aren’t difficult. Congress (5 seats), VCK (2 seats), CPI (2 seats) and CPI(M) (2 seats) collectively kind a bloc of round 11 MLAs, sufficient to comfortably push Mr. Vijay previous the midway mark. It could be solely a matter of time earlier than the Left events and the VCK determine to interrupt away from the DMK-led alliance. With extra assist from stakeholders comparable to IUML, DMDK or PMK sections, the scope may very well be additional widened and the necessity become a secure one.

Arun Janardhanan is an skilled and authoritative Tamil Nadu correspondent for The Indian Categorical. Primarily based within the state, his reporting combines ground-level entry and long-form readability, offering readers with a nuanced understanding of South Indian politics, judiciary and tradition, and reflecting each the depth of his experience and enduring authority. Experience Geographic focus: Simply as our correspondent in Tamil Nadu centered on politics, crime, religion and battle, Mr. Janardhanan has additionally reported extensively on Sri Lanka, producing a decade-long physique of labor on elections, governance and the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bombings via in-depth articles and interviews. Key protection areas: State politics and governance: Detailed protection of the DMK and AIADMK, the emergence of recent political actors comparable to actor Vijay’s TVK, defections throughout the celebration, tensions between centrist states and the function of governors, and so forth. Authorized and Judicial Affairs: Constant protection of the Madras Excessive Courtroom, together with disputes associated to faith and instances involving state energy and civil liberties. Investigations: Deep-dive collection on landmark instances and unresolved points such because the Tirupati encounter and the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, in addition to a number of investigation collection in Tamil Nadu. Tradition, Society and Disaster: From cyclones to prolonged monsoon emergencies, we report on cultural teams, language debates and catastrophe protection, with native particulars. His reporting gained the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism. Past journalism, Janardhanan can be a screenwriter. His Malayalam characteristic movie Aarkkariyam was launched in 2021. … learn extra