ECI Tamil Nadu Election Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Vijay’s TVK wants Congress to join coalition government, state unit to take call

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal says,"TVK President Thiru Vijay has requested the Indian National Congress for support to form a Government in Tamil Nadu. He has spoken about drawing inspiration from Perumthalaivar Kamaraj as well, in his political mission. The INC is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government that is committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit.

The INC is determined not to have the BJP and its proxies run the Govt. of Tamil Nadu in any manner. Accordingly, the Congress leadership has directed the TNCC to take a final decision on Thiru Vijay's request, keeping in view the sentiments of the state reflected in the electoral verdict."

A day after TVK's electoral success unseated the DMK from power, M K Stalin on Tuesday resigned as Chief Minister, asserting that his party will function effectively in the opposition, even as TVK chief Vijay expressed confidence of forming government despite short on numbers.

Vijay's remarks assume significance in the wake of TVK being 10 short of the simple majority to form government, as it has only 108 members in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.

Meanwhile, the TVK has made arrangements for its legislators from the districts to stay in a resort in nearby Mamallapuram to participate in the swearing in ceremony of Vijay planned on May 7, a source in the party said.

May 7 was also the day when Stalin assumed charge as Chief Minister in 2021.

Tuesday turned into a hectic day for Vijay, founder of the fledgling TVK, as he made an appearance at the party headquarters, exchanged greetings with the MLA designates and assured of government formation, a source said.

His assurance comes in the wake of a hung assembly like situation and an assertion by DMK's ally Thol Thirumavalavan heading the VCK that the 2026 Assembly election result paved the way for a coalition government in the state.

A source in the Congress, a major constituent of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, said Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has sent feelers seeking the grand old party's support in government formation.

On a day of rapid development, Vijay staked claim to form the government informing Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, that the party had secured 108 seats, and being the single largest, it should be invited to form the government.

"We request an opportunity to demonstrate our majority," Vijay had said in an e-mail communication to the governor, a source in the TVK said.

"The decision on extending support to TVK will be made by the Congress high command," a Congress senior leader said and indicated that many in the TNCC unit wanted a berth for the party MLAs. The Congress has won five seats in the April 23 election held for all the 234 Assembly constituencies in the state.

Vijay-led TVK secured an impressive 108 seats on its maiden electoral debut and trounced the incumbent DMK led by Stalin which finished with only 59 seats.

The opposition AIADMK won 47 seats while its allies the PMK obtained four and the BJP and AMMK clinched one seat each in the election, according to the data available on the Election commission of India's website.

The DMK's other allies-- the IUML, CPI, CPI (M), and VCK won two seats each and DMDK secured one. The votes were taken up for counting on May 4 and the final tally was announced on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Stalin stepped down after his DMK faced defeat in the April 23 Assembly elections. The governor accepted his resignation and his council of ministers, the Lok Bhavan said on Tuesday. He requested the CM to continue in office till alternative arrangements are in place.

Stalin has said that the DMK would function as a robust opposition party. Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam created a record of sorts in the electoral history of Tamil Nadu and emerged as the single largest party by delivering a shock defeat to DMK and its president Stalin in his Kolathur constituency, while the AIADMK was pushed to a distant third spot.

Vijay won from both Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East constituencies and is likely to retain Perambur and vacate Tiruchirappalli East. The TVK has clocked 34.92 per cent vote share in its debut polls. This will be the first time in Tamil Nadu that a party will assume power a little over two years after its founding in February 2024.

At the party MLAs meeting, Vijay was said to have advised the legislators to remain confident as the TVK would form the government, a party insider said.

Confirming that Vijay had mentioned about a "good news soon to follow," TVK legislator from R K Nagar N Marie Wilson insisted that the meeting of MLAs was basically to greet their party founder and thank him for the victory.

Asked if the size of the cabinet to be formed and how the party would meet the shortfall of 10 MLAs to form the government, Wilson told reporters that "it will all be decided by the party leadership." A source in the party said the MLAs unanimously elected Vijay as TVK legislature party leader.

Later, Vijay left for his Neelankarai residence amidst tight police security. Menawhile, talking to reporters here, VCK founder Thirumavalavan said "I can say that through the verdict, the people of Tamil Nadu have given a mandate for a coalition government in future. This is a fact which we should realise. There's no absolute majority for TVK to form the government on its own. It needs support from other parties."

His party was still with the DMK-led SPA and for secularism he said and added "so we will continue (the ties) with the DMK for the welfare of the TN people." Asked if he was open to invitation from TVK, Thirumavalavan replied "we have no such idea. We are not expecting any invitation. We thank the people for giving the verdict against the communal forces." CPI (M) sate secretary P Shanmugam told reporters that it was for the TVK to respond if it could prove its majority.

DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth, another ally of the DMK, said she would continue the poll ties with the DMK and extended her wishes to Vijay on government formation.

Meanwhile, Stalin visited the Kolathur assembly constituency which he lost to V S Babu of TVK by a margin of 8,795 votes and thanked the people who voted for the DMK and its allies. Later, the DMK MLAs and allies called on Stalin and discussed the present political scenario.

Babu defeated Stalin by securing 82,997 votes while the DMK chief polled 74,202. Meanwhile, the TVK thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for lauding the party for its impressive performance in Assembly polls.

"The well-being of our people remains our only goal. Transcending politics, we shall focus on the state's progress and the welfare of people of Tamil Nadu. We look forward to the Union Government's support in this endeavor," TVK said on 'X.'

PTI

The air outside the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur here was thick with the sound of whistles and slogans as the party's rank and file celebrated the unanimous election of their leader, Vijay, as the legislative party leader.

While the official agenda was the selection of a floor leader, the voices emerging from the meeting spoke of a broader mandate -- one centred on grassroots service and a clean break from traditional Dravidian politics.

For many of the 108 newly elected MLAs, the primary takeaway from the leadership meeting was a sobering reminder of their responsibilities. TVK leader Arunraj IRS, speaking to reporters, emphasised that the victory was not being viewed as a conquest but as a duty.

"Basically, he (Vijay) said that this is a huge responsibility which the people have given us," Arunraj said, reflecting on Vijay's address to the candidates. "It's not any post or authority; it's a service mandate... we should always deliver to the lowest strata of people." The diversity of the elected representatives has become a focal point for supporters.

V M Mustafa, the MLA-elect from Madurai Central constituency, pointed out that the party's success was built on inclusive representation that challenged the status quo.

Mustafa highlighted that the party provided opportunities to a wide range of candidates, including 70 from Dalit backgrounds and several Muslim representatives.

Many candidates, such as Jegadeshwari K from Rajapalayam, spoke of the intense personal battles they fought to secure their wins. "I have faced many threats... I have worked many times harder than a male candidate would have," she stated, adding that her primary goal now is ensuring her constituents receive their promised benefits.

A fan of Vijay from Virudhachalam, Seetha Shivam said the campaign in her constituency was driven by local frustrations over social issues, including drug prevalence and the perceived neglect of the Tamil language. The mood among the winning candidates was one of defiance against the established political giants.

M Ravishankar, representing Thuraiyur, dismissed the status of the post, calling it a "responsibility" rather than a title.

"We will do everything that the Dravidian parties failed to do," Ravishankar said, pointedly noting that the party's performance was expected by the people, even if it was underestimated by the media.

He further criticised the 70-year record of previous administrations, citing the lack of basic sanitation in dozens of villages within his own constituency.

As the meeting concluded, the sentiment among TVK members remained one of absolute confidence. While the legislative numbers to form a government remain a subject of intense speculation, the party's representatives believe the momentum is on their side.

"People have started having a belief in us," noted Sivakasi TVK MLA-elect Keerthana.

"Which is the reason they have voted, so we should not spoil that," she added. PTI JR For the TVK faithful, the election of Vijay as the legislature party leader is not just a formality, but the first step in what they describe as a "historic moment" for the state of Tamil Nadu.

PTI

TVK chief Vijay on Tuesday paid tributes to the party's ideological leaders and chaired a meeting of its newly elected legislators, a day after it secured victory with 108 seats in the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly election. He received a rousing welcome from party members and several MLAs who, like him, made their electoral debut at the TVK headquarters.

He convened the meeting of party MLAs to discuss the election of the legislature party leader and their conduct in the Assembly, an MLA said.

Earlier, the TVK chief paid floral tributes to Periyar E V Ramasamy, B R Ambedkar, K Kamaraj, Velu Nachiyar, and Anjalai Ammal, whom the party regards as its ideological leaders, at its headquarters.

During the meeting, the MLAs will present their victory certificates to the party leader and discuss strategies to form the government, said TVK leader Nanjil Sampath.

Asked how TVK would secure a simple majority, as it is short by 10 MLAs, Sampath told reporters that the party leader would work it out. "I am confident of a positive outcome, and good news can be expected soon," he said.

Vijay-led TVK emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 seats, while DMK and AIADMK got 59 and 47, respectively.

TVK needs 118 MLAs in the 234-member House to form the government.

The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election has witnessed a dramatic range of political mandates, with victory margins

swinging from massive landslides to hair-breadth escapes across the state.

Leading the tally for the highest margin recorded so far, AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami secured a dominant victory in his home turf of Edappadi, winning by a staggering 98,110 votes.

Close on his heels, the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) demonstrated significant urban strength as ECR P Saravanan clinched the Shozhinganallur seat with a massive lead of 96,370 votes, followed by M L Vijayprabhu who took the Madhavaram constituency by a margin of 94,985 votes.

In sharp contrast to these sweeping mandates, several constituencies witnessed nail-biting finishes where every vote proved decisive.

The lowest victory margin in the state was recorded in Paramathi-Velur, where AIADMK candidate Sekar S of managed to scrape through by a mere 308 votes. Other tight contests saw AIADMK's Ravimanoharan K winning the Palani seat by just 693 votes, while in Kumbakonam, TVK's Vinoth secured a victory with a slim margin of 679 votes.

The trend of narrow wins continued in Cumbum, where TVK Jeganathmishra P L A emerged victorious by 751 votes, and in Kovilpatti, where the DMK recorded its lowest margin victory as Karunanithi K won by 843 votes.

PTI

Tamil Nadu former BJP president K Annamalai on Monday hailed the "generational shift" in the state's political landscape following the 2026 Assembly election results, congratulating actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party TVK on a "spectacular debut".

In a statement posted on 'X', he said the verdict reflected a clear public mandate against established political norms.

"I bow down to the people of TN for your verdict. Happy to see in my land, people have risen in one voice and spoken -- no to buying of votes, no to dynastic politics," Annamalai said.

PTI

R Sabarinathan, the 30-year-old son of actor-politician Vijay's long-time driver and personal assistant Rajendran, has won

in the Virugambakkam assembly constituency here.

Sabarinathan, contesting on a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ticket, won by 27,086 votes, according to the latest Election Commission figures.

Speaking to reporters briefly after receiving his certificate, Sabarinathan said, "I am very happy with the win and very grateful to Vijay, he has put an end to DMK."

Rajendran has been associated with Vijay since the actor's debut film 'Naalaiya Theerpu', serving as his driver and personal aide.

Sabarinathan emerged as one of the most talked-about candidates of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections after an emotional video of him breaking down on stage went viral, shortly after his name figured among TVK's list of candidates.

The Virugambakkam constituency, located in Chennai district, has changed hands between three different parties across the last five Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

PTI

TVK chief Vijay has won Tiruchirappalli seat by a margin of over 27,000 votes and Perambur by a margin of over 57,000 votes.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday said that he accepts the people's verdict in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections.

The AIADMK contested in 169 assembly constituencies and secured the lead in only about 50 seats.

In a statement here, he said, "I express my gratitude to all the people, who rose up and performed their democratic duty in the assembly elections".

Stating that the people were judges here, he said, "Therefore, I wholeheartedly accept the decision given by the people".

He said, "We will soon recover from this setback." Palaniswami also thanked all the leaders of allied parties and AIADMK cadres, who worked hard for the NDA in the elections.

PTI

Vijay’s TVK ideology of social justice, egalitarian society, and dual-language policy (of Tamil and English) may have semblances to Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian pitch but the fledgling party founder promises a non-Dravidian alternative to the AIADMK and the DMK. He hopes to cash in on a huge vacuum for a strong non-Dravidian party to serve as an alternative to the Dravidian majors in the state.

Spoke to Vijay, congratulated him on TVK's spectacular result, says Rahul Gandhi.

As per the Election Commission of India, Vijay's TVK has won 41 seats, DMK 19, AIADMK 15, PMK 1, CPI 1, CPIM 1, BJP 1, AMMK 1.

TVK chief Vijay is leading by a margin of over 22,000 votes in Tiruchirapalli (East) and surging ahead in Perambur by more than 46,000 votes.

As Vijay's TVK gains major lead in Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, one of his supporters said, "He will do good for the state; if not, we can change him next time."

Amid a fierce battle between the TVK and the DMK, Congress candidates are trailing behind in major margins of votes. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief K Selvaperunthagai is trailing behind Vijay-led TVK candidate Thennarasu K in Sriperumbudur (SC) assembly constituency. After the ninth round of counting, Thennarasu secured 38,394 votes and thus established a clear lead of 14,086 votes to his nearest rival Selvaperunthagai.

While TVK chief and superstar Vijay seems to tap into emotional loyalties gaining a major lead in Tamil Nadu, BJP's prominent candidates, including state chief Nainar Nagenthran, former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Union Minister L Murugan, are trailing behind the DMK and TVK candidates. Nagenthran, who is fighting the poll battle from Sattur for the first time after migrating from his home constituency of Tirunelveli, is trailing by 909 votes behind the DMK candidate Kadarkarairaj A.

Bigwigs like Union Minister L Murugan and former Governor Dr Tamilsai Soundararajan seem to be heading towards a setback. Murugan is trailing behind TVK's Kamali S in Avanashi reserved constituency by 2,080 votes as per the counting trends, while Soundararajan is behind TVK's Venkataramanan P by a margin of 9,296 votes in Mylapore constituency in Chennai.

With PTI inputs