DMK explores backing AIADMK, Tamil Nadu Governor tells Vijay he hasn’t established majority
The post-election political climate in Tamil Nadu turned upside down on Thursday, May 7, 2026, when the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leadership started toying with the idea of providing external support to its arch-rival All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam; This was an unthinkable possibility just a week ago.
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In a related development, Lok Bhavan said Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar invited Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president C. Joseph Vijay and “announced that the required majority support to form the government in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has not been secured”.
While Mr. Vijay and senior party leaders have been reaching out to DMK’s allies – Communist Party of India, CPI(M) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which have two seats each – DMK president MK Stalin is also learned to have floated the idea of supporting an AIADMK-led government to these three parties.
It is now clear that three parties hold the key to further turmoil in Tamil Nadu politics. In fact, their joint support is vital for both TVK and AIADMK to form a government.
Currently, TVK, with the support of five elected Congress candidates, effectively has 112 seats in the 234-member Assembly, taking into account the legal mandate for Mr. Vijay to resign from one of his two seats.
If the AIADMK aspires to form a government without the support of the sole representative of the BJP, it will need the support of six seats of the DMK (59), Indian Union Muslim League (2) and the CPI-CPI(M)-VCK combine, besides its other allies Pattali Makkal Katchi (4) and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (1). This will give the alliance 120 seats.
Outgoing Prime Minister Mr. Stalin, who had initially rejected the offer to support the AIADMK, reportedly caved in to pressure from second-tier party leaders and invited CPI(M) Foreign Minister P. Shanmugam, CPI Foreign Minister M. Veerapandian and VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan went to his house for discussions. He reportedly said that the DMK will not join the government but the allies are free to decide on joining the government.
While the two Communist parties are bidding for time, stating that the State committee meetings scheduled for Friday will take the final decision, Mr. Thirumavalavan stated that he will follow the stand of the Communists.
Meanwhile, a meeting of newly elected DMK legislators at Anna Arivalayam empowered Mr. Stalin to take a suitable decision in view of the fragmented election results that failed to give any party a majority.
The resolution adopted at the meeting said, “Since the state is not ready for a new election, our aim is to provide a stable government. At the same time, we have to prevent social forces that may disturb Dravidian ideals from gaining ground.”
The resolution also stated that Tamil Nadu’s growth trajectory can be sustained only if the welfare programs implemented by the DMK government in the last five years continue uninterrupted.
“The meeting unanimously authorizes the party leader to make urgent decisions, taking into account the current political and administrative situation,” the decision said. The statement was included.
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In another resolution, he harshly criticized DMK’s former ally Congress, accusing it of betrayal after it left the alliance and supported TVK.
“Congress was allotted one Rajya Sabha seat and 28 Assembly seats in the alliance. However, within three days of the results being declared, it pawned the mandate earned through the hard work of the alliance partners to the rival camp. Even during the seat-sharing talks, the Congress failed to condemn the statements made against the alliance,” the resolution said.
The legislators’ meeting also touched upon the developments in Puducherry, where Congress candidates are reportedly contesting on seats reserved for the DMK.
In another verdict, he said, “Rival candidates even met their party leaders and sought their approval. The Congress was not sincere even during the election campaign.”
The DMK accused the Congress of “backstabbing and betrayal”, alleging that Congress candidates had not even called despite tolerating Mr Stalin’s excesses and campaigning extensively on their behalf.
It was published – 07 May 2026 01:21 IST
