Tamil Nadu witnessed a major political shift after the 2026 Assembly elections resulted in the state’s first hung assembly in history. Actor-turned-politician Vijay, who led the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single largest party but failed to secure a majority on its own.
Despite strongly opposing alliances before the election, Vijay later formed a post-poll coalition government with the support of five parties. He officially took oath as Chief Minister on May 10 after several days of political negotiations.
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What did Vijay say before elections
According to a Hindustan Times report, at his party’s state conference in Madurai in 2025, Vijay had strongly criticised political alliances. “I don't have the need to join any slave alliance.” He declared during the event.
He also added, “It won't be a selfish alliance; it'll be a self-respect-oriented alliance." The TVK later decided to contest the 2026 Assembly elections alone without joining any major alliance.
How did TVK emerge as the single largest party
The 2026 Assembly election resulted in a hung assembly for the first time in Tamil Nadu’s political history. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, becoming the single largest party.
However, the party remained 10 seats short of the majority mark. Vijay also won from two constituencies and is expected to vacate one seat, reducing the effective strength to 107.
Why is the 2026 election historic
As per Hindustan Times report, the 2026 election resulted in a hung assembly for the first time in Tamil Nadu history, with no party or pre-poll alliance winning a majority. Since 1967, governments formed by parties like DMK and AIADMK were usually based on pre-poll alliances that already had a majority before voting, and even dominant parties often included alliance partners in power. Earlier, before the Dravidian era, elections such as 1957 and 1962 saw the Indian National Congress under K Kamaraj form single-party majority governments without any coalition or post-poll negotiations, making the 2026 outcome different as it led to a post-poll coalition system.
Vijay takes oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after forming a historic post-poll coalition government ANI
Which parties supported Vijay after results
After the election results, several opposition parties extended support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The Indian National Congress first offered support with five MLAs.
Later, the Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League also joined the alliance.
Vijay rejects alliances, goes solo
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) contested the election alone, and as recently as March 18, Vijay dismissed speculation about joining either of the two main alliances, the DMK-Congress-led ruling alliance and the NDA led by AIADMK and BJP. "Many people are spreading rumours that we are part of one team or another. But they have now realised that we belong only to the people," Vijay said in March.
Coalition crosses majority amid urgency
The tenure of the outgoing Assembly in Tamil Nadu officially ended on May 10, the same day as the swearing-in. If no government had been formed by then, it would have led to President’s Rule as a constitutional process, not as a political threat. It was also described by some parties as indirect influence of the Centre, since the ruling party at the Centre is the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The coalition formed around Vijay was driven mainly by this concern. As per Hindustan Times report, the final numbers showed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam with 107 effective seats, along with support from the Indian National Congress (5), Communist Party of India (2), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (2), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (2) and Indian Union Muslim League (2), taking the total to 120 seats, which crossed the majority mark.
Also Read | Vijay takes oath as Tamil Nadu CM in historic power shift, ends decades-long DMK-AIADMK dominance
What did alliance leaders say
VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said, "Our ties with the DMK will not get affected due to our stand, but it will help Vijay to form the government and also prevent President's Rule in the state."
Rahul Gandhi also attended Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony in Chennai and posted on X, “Tamil Nadu has chosen. A new generation. A new voice. A new imagination. My good wishes to Thiru Vijay — may he fulfil the hopes of the people of Tamil Nadu.”
The final alliance strength reached 120 seats, with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and its allies crossing the majority mark in the Assembly. After taking oath, Vijay said, "I will not deceive people with false promises. I will only do what is possible," he said.
Vijay will now have to prove his majority on the Assembly floor by May 13 after forming Tamil Nadu’s first post-poll coalition government.
