LIVE | TVK set to form govt in TN; Suvendu named West Bengal CM
After days of negotiations and talks of DMK-AIADMK alliance, Vijay's TVK appears set to reach the magic 118-mark
Vijay's TVK is set to form the government, as the VCK and Left parties have come around and offered support.
The TVK won 108 seats, of which one would face a by-election, since Vijay emerged victorious from two seats. The Congress recently split from long-term ally to offer support to the TVK with five seats. Today, the CPI, with two seats, promised unconditional support. The VCK and CPI(M), which also have two seats each, have offered support, say media reports. This would take the tally to the required 118.
Reports also said Vijay may take his tally to 121, including two from the IUML.
Also read | No invite for Vijay's TVK: Why experts say TN Governor is overstepping
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar asked Vijay to return with proof of support from at least 118 MLAs, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Meanwhile, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Friday dismissed speculation over a possible alliance between the DMK and AIADMK, saying such a political arrangement was highly unlikely. Speaking in Chennai, he said both parties have remained major political rivals in Tamil Nadu for decades, making the prospect of an alliance difficult.
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Live Updates
- 8 May 2026 5:49 PM IST
Shah in Kolkata: 'Infiltration and cattle smuggling will become impossible'
Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Now, our government has been formed in Bengal as well. Infiltration and cattle smuggling will become impossible, and together, the Bengal government and the Government of India will transform this border into an impregnable fortress for the nation's security."
- 8 May 2026 5:43 PM IST
Vijay set to meet Governor at 6 PM
TVK chief Vijay is expected to meet the Governor at 6 PM today.
- 8 May 2026 5:42 PM IST
CPI(M): Left parties will extend outside support to TVK
Left parties will extend outside support; shall not be part of actor-politican Vijay-led Cabinet, says CPI(M).
- 8 May 2026 5:22 PM IST
CPI(M) offers unconditional support to Vijay's TVK
The CPI(M) also today extended unconditional support to Vijay's TVK to form the government. The CPI(M), which fought the election as part of the DMK alliance, won two seats.
- 8 May 2026 5:08 PM IST
CPI: We have agreed to support TVK
CPI General Secretary D Raja says, "TVK approached CPI, CPI(M) and VCK in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu unit of our party has taken a position in consultation with the national leadership of our party. We have agreed to extend support to TVK to form the government. We have also asked the Governor to invite the leader of the single-largest party TVK, to form the government."
- 8 May 2026 4:54 PM IST
Suvendu Adhikari to be new CM of Bengal
Suvendu Adhikari elected BJP's legislature party leader, new Chief Minister of West Bengal. The swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government will be held at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on May 9.
"I announce the name of Suvendu Adhikari elected as Leader of West Bengal BJP Legislative Party,” said Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- 8 May 2026 4:18 PM IST
TVK chief Vijay seeks meeting with TN Governor at 4.30 pm
Political developments in Tamil Nadu gathered pace on Friday as TVK chief Vijay sought an appointment to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at 4.30 pm amid the ongoing uncertainty over government formation, reported ANI.
At the same time, TVK leader CTR Nirmal Kumar reached Balan Illam, the CPI, where the party’s executive committee was meeting to decide whether to extend support to Vijay.
TVK emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly election but fell short of the 118-seat majority required to form a government in the 234-member House. Vijay has since been reaching out to other parties to secure the numbers. The Congress has already extended conditional support after ending its alliance with the DMK, taking the TVK-led alliance to 112 with the support of five Congress MLAs.
The CPI (M) and CPI, which have two MLAs each, also held meetings on Friday to decide their stand. Thol. Thirumavalavan also called a high-level meeting of the VCK, scheduled for 5 pm through Zoom, to decide whether the party will support TVK. VCK also has two MLAs. Support from CPI, CPI(M) and VCK would take the alliance to the majority mark.
Meanwhile, several parties have urged Governor Arlekar to invite Vijay to form the government and prove his majority through a floor test in the Assembly. The Governor had met Vijay on Thursday and asked him to furnish details of legislators backing TVK’s claim before making a decision.
- 8 May 2026 3:42 PM IST
CPI, CPM, VCK MLAs back TVK; joint announcement at 4.30 pm: Report
The Working Committee of the Communist Party of India and the State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have both decided to back the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), according to reports. In addition, two MLAs from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi are also set to extend their support. Representatives of all three parties are scheduled to address the media at 4.30 pm, where the formal announcement is expected to be made.
- 8 May 2026 3:26 PM IST
Congress submits Kerala CLP report, leadership decision next
Following the Congress-led UDF’s victory in Kerala, the party has formally begun the process of choosing its Legislature Party leader. AICC observer Ajay Maken said the Kerala CLP unanimously passed a one-line resolution authorising the Congress leadership to make the final decision, and that the observers have submitted their report to the party high command.
“On May 4, the election results were announced,” Maken said. He added that after being assigned the responsibility along with Deepa Dasmunshi, the observers met the CLP on May 7 and “today we have submitted our report to the leadership of the Congress president.”
Explaining the decision, Maken said, “Resolution has been passed... unanimously authorising the Congress leadership to select the CLP leader.”
He also said the observers held one-on-one discussions with MLAs. “Whatever they said, we noted it down... and we have submitted it to the high command.”
Reacting to a viral photograph linked to leadership speculation, Mukul Wasnik dismissed the claims, saying, “I’ve seen it... it is incorrect, it is not based on facts.”
The UDF’s victory in Kerala has positioned the Congress for a major political comeback in the state.
- 8 May 2026 2:38 PM IST
CPI urges the Governor to follow the convention in Tamil Nadu
As uncertainty over government formation gripped Tamil Nadu, CPI General Secretary D. Raja on Friday said Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar must act in line with democratic convention and invite TVK, the single largest party, to form the government.
"We want the Governor to invite the single largest party, TVK, to form the government. The Governor must follow the established practices and conventions in our parliamentary democratic system."
Raja declined to comment on speculation around a possible AIADMK-DMK understanding, saying, "I do not know whether AIADMK and DMK are coming together or not."
As TVK chief Vijay worked to secure numbers after a fractured verdict, Left parties held key meetings in Chennai. CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam said, "Our party is in the process of decision-making. We will make a correct decision today itself."
