Actor-politician Vijay may have emerged as the single largest player in Tamil Nadu’s fractured verdict, but for three tense days, it was the two-MLA Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) led by Thol Thirumavalavan that held the key to government formation.
From public hints of support and backchannel bargaining to disappearing from TVK’s radar at a crucial moment, the VCK turned two seats into the most discussed numbers in Tamil Nadu politics. By the time the party finally extended support on Saturday, the suspense had already reshaped the state’s post-poll drama.
VIJAY’S FIRST VISIT TO RAJ BHAVAN
The crisis began after TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, falling short of the 118-mark needed to form government. Congress, with five MLAs, quickly backed Vijay, but the numbers were still not enough.
Sensing an opening as the single-largest party, Vijay made his first visit to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar soon after the results, staking claim to form the government and arguing that democratic convention demanded the largest party be given the first opportunity. TVK leaders insisted majority could be proved later on the Assembly floor.
But Raj Bhavan was unconvinced.
The Governor asked TVK to return only after demonstrating concrete majority support, triggering a frantic scramble for allies. That pushed TVK into intense negotiations with DMK allies — the CPI, CPI(M), IUML and the VCK. Vijay needed to take the numbers above 117. Congress had five MLAs, while CPI, CPI(M), IUML, and VCK had 2 MLAs each.
GOVERNOR’S 2ND REFUSAL, VCK’S SIGNAL
As pressure mounted, Vijay made a second visit to Lok Bhavan on May 7 after being invited by the Governor. This time too, TVK tried to convince Raj Bhavan that as the single-largest party, it should be invited to form the government and allowed time to prove majority later.
But the Governor again held his ground, saying the “requisite majority support” had still not been established.
Ironically, even as the VCK refused to formally back TVK, the party publicly criticised the Governor’s stand. Thirumavalavan argued that governments are decided on the Assembly floor and not at Raj Bhavan, a statement widely interpreted as indirect support for Vijay.
Still, the VCK delayed a final announcement by another day.
THIRD VISIT NOT THE CHARM
On May 8, the suspense intensified dramatically.
TVK leaders confidently declared that Vijay would make yet another trip to the Governor, effectively his third attempt at staking claim, saying parties including the VCK had “accepted the people’s mandate” and that the numbers were nearly complete.
But Lok Bhavan sources soon revealed a crucial catch: TVK only had 116 signatures. The VCK and IUML signatures were still missing.
That left government formation hanging entirely on two VCK MLAs. And the mood quickly shifted from confidence to desperation.
INTENSE DRAMA AROUND VCK SUPPORT
What followed turned the negotiations into political theatre.
Sources indicated the VCK had raised a major demand — the Deputy Chief Minister’s post for Thirumavalavan. Reports suggested TVK was willing to discuss cabinet berths and even considered offering key portfolios like Urban Affairs.
Then came the biggest twist.
As TVK desperately tried to secure the final signatures before Vijay could formally press his claim again before the Governor, sources claimed Thirumavalavan had become unreachable. For hours on Friday, TVK leaders reportedly struggled to contact the VCK chief while political circles buzzed with speculation over power-sharing talks.
Late that evening, instead of announcing support, the VCK released a carefully worded statement saying its high-level committee had met online, several opinions had emerged, and the party’s official stand would only be announced the next day (Saturday).
The statement also complained about “conflicting media reports” creating confusion and affecting the party’s image. The delay ensured the suspense continued for another night.
BARGAINING POWER BIGGER THAN SEAT COUNT
By Saturday morning, the VCK’s political leverage had become impossible to ignore.
Party leaders openly hinted at power-sharing. Reports suggested the VCK wanted the Deputy CM post, cabinet representation and continuation of social justice-related commissions set up by the previous government. There was even discussion about Thirumavalavan contesting a bypoll if Vijay vacated one of his two Assembly seats.
VCK deputy general secretary Vanni Arasu added to the intrigue with a cryptic social media post declaring that the party would emerge as a “central force” even if others tried to marginalise it.
FOURTH VISIT AND THE FINAL TURN
After nearly 24 hours of uncertainty, the VCK finally ended the suspense on Saturday afternoon by extending unconditional support to TVK.
Thirumavalavan said the decision was necessary to prevent President’s Rule and ensure the people’s mandate was respected. He also clarified that the VCK would continue to remain part of the DMK-led alliance despite supporting Vijay’s government formation bid.
Armed with the final numbers, Vijay prepared for his fourth visit to Raj Bhavan — this time with the signatures that finally pushed TVK past the majority mark.
Earlier in the evening, Vijay had reportedly headed towards Lok Bhavan expecting to formally press his claim with 120 MLAs behind him, but had to briefly wait as an appointment had not yet been finalised. The suspense, however, did not last long.
Soon after, the Governor’s office gave Vijay time for a 6.30 pm meeting. During the crucial fourth interaction, Vijay submitted the full set of supporting signatures that Raj Bhavan had repeatedly insisted on over the past three days. This time, the Governor was convinced.
Shortly after the meeting, it was confirmed that Vijay would take oath as Chief Minister on Sunday, bringing an end to one of Tamil Nadu’s most dramatic post-poll power struggles in recent years.
But by then, the story was no longer just about numbers.
For three days, a party with only two MLAs had managed to dominate Tamil Nadu’s political conversation, keep the state guessing, and force the single-largest party to make repeated trips to Raj Bhavan while anxiously waiting for its final word.
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