Vijay's May 7 Swearing-In in Doubt: Governor Not Convinced as TVK Falls Short of Majority

C Joseph Vijay may not be sworn in as Chief Minister on May 7 as earlier anticipated, with reports indicating that the Governor is not yet convinced about the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) having the required majority to form the government. The development introduces fresh uncertainty into the state’s political landscape despite TVK emerging as the single largest party in the recent Assembly elections.

According to sources, the Governor is seeking clearer evidence of majority support before extending a formal invitation to form the government. While Vijay had earlier staked claim, the absence of confirmed numbers backing the party has reportedly delayed the swearing-in process. This comes even as preparations were underway for a ceremony initially expected to take place on May 7.

TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, falling short of the 118 seats required for a simple majority. The party’s effective strength is expected to reduce further to 107, as Vijay is set to vacate one of the two constituencies he won. This has intensified the urgency for the party to secure additional support from allies and independent legislators.

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The Congress party has extended its backing to TVK, contributing five MLAs and taking the alliance tally to 113. Despite this support, the coalition still remains below the majority mark, prompting ongoing negotiations with other potential partners to bridge the gap. Political observers note that such post-election bargaining is common in closely contested assemblies.

Sources suggest that the Governor is awaiting “official figures” or formal letters of support from allied parties and legislators before taking a final call. The constitutional process requires the Governor to be satisfied that a party or coalition can command a majority in the House before inviting it to form the government, making these numbers critical.

As discussions continue behind the scenes, the timeline for government formation remains uncertain. The coming days are expected to be crucial for TVK as it attempts to consolidate support and demonstrate its majority, which will ultimately determine whether Vijay can proceed with forming the next government in Tamil Nadu.

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