Political uncertainty in Tamil Nadu as Vijay falls short of majority

Film star Vijay's party has won 108 seats - leaving him 10 short of a majority in the Tamil Nadu assembly. Vijay, Tamil Nadu election results 2026: Political uncertainty in India state as film star winner falls short of majority Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Actor-turned-politician Vijay, president of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), waves as he arrives at his party’s office, a day after the Tamil Nadu assembly election results, in Chennai, India, May 5, 2026 Political uncertainty in India state as film star winner falls short of majority Vijay, wearing a white shirt with a whistle in his mouth, poses with his party's symbol When film star-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay's newly-formed political party won the most number of seats in the recent election in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, it was hailed as historic. But five days after Monday's vote-counting, political uncertainty prevails in the southern state, with no clarity on when a new government could be formed or who would form it. Vijay's party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won 108 seats - leaving him 10 seats short of a majority in the 234-member assembly. India's main opposition Congress party, which has five seats, has pledged support. But Vijay has to win support from at least five more members and there is still no clarity on who they would be. Vijay (fourth from left) has met the state Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and staked claim to form the next government Vijay with Tamil Nadu governor and other TVK party leaders On Wednesday, the superstar called on the state Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and staked claim to form the next government. He met the governor again on Thursday. Hours later, the governor's office put out a press release explaining that "the requisite majority support in the legislative assembly, essential for forming the government, has not been established". Indian media reports say the governor has insisted that Vijay submit proof that he has the support of 118 legislators needed to form government. Some TVK leaders and its allies have criticised the governor's refusal to invite Vijay to form the government. But analysts say the governor's priority is to ensure the formation of a stable government which will be able to prove its majority in the assembly. Some constitutional experts, however, say there is enough precedent where the governor has invited the single largest party or coalition to form a government and given them time to prove their majority on the floor of the house. They say it is unfair to deny Vijay that opportunity. The Indian superstar taking a shot at political greatness A 'fun' superstar stuns rivals and reshapes politics in an Indian state Vijay's spectacular rise has been compared with that of matinee idol MG Ramachandran, who broke away from the established Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to form his own party - All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) - and become chief minister in 1977. The state has, for decades, chosen between the DMK and the AIADMK and the TVK demolished that duopoly to emerge as the single largest party in the state election. The actor's party defeated the powerful incumbent DMK, led by MK Stalin. In the past 48 hours, as uncertainty over the fate of TVK has continued, Indian media reports have hinted at all sorts of permutations and combinations that could be used to form a new government, including one that could see bitter rivals DMK and the AIADMK joining hands. But some analysts say Vijay may still be able to win over some of the smaller parties and independent legislators to cobble together the magic number of 118 seats and form the government. Tamil Nadu has long seen cinema mixing with power and Vijay has followed in the footsteps of film stars Ramachandran and his successor J Jayalalithaa who led the state for decades. However, unlike them, he doesn't have any political experience. Popularly known as "Thalapathy" Vijay (General Vijay), the 51-year-old actor has appeared in 69 films and is among India's highest paid stars. Soon after launching TVK in 2024, he announced that he would retire from films to pursue politics full-time. Film star Vijay has defied naysayers to almost sweep Tamil Nadu polls, marking a break in the political order. Akash Delison's death in Tamil Nadu state has revived concerns about alleged custody killings in India. The polls are taking place against a controversy over a sweeping revision of electoral rolls. A year after their military conflict, India and Pakistan avoid war, but diplomacy and trust remain frozen. Chandranath Rath was personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari, front runner to become West Bengal's new chief minister. Mamata Banerjee loses West Bengal state, throwing her party - and political future - into doubt. West Bengal’s verdict could reshape not just the state’s politics, but the future trajectory of Modi’s BJP. A new study reveals a decline in dragonfly and damselfly species in India's Western Ghats.