Vijay Clears Final Hurdle to Power
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator. Author of Cyber Scams in India, Digital Arrest, The Money Trap and The Human Hack
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By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2026-05-08 15:37:16
About the Author
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator. Author of Cyber Scams in India, Digital Arrest, The Money Trap and The Human Hack
View all posts by this Author
C Joseph Vijay finally managed to secure the numbers to form the government after four days of gubernatorial denial and intense political negotiations. After meeting the Governor for the third time in three days, Vijay received the invitation to form the government and is scheduled to take oath tomorrow morning at 11 am.
The Congress had extended support early, but Vijay soon had to contend with an extraordinary political development. The DMK and the AIADMK, bitter rivals for over five decades, suddenly began exploring the possibility of jointly staking claim to power, apparently in an attempt to prevent Vijay from assuming office. In the end, however, the Left parties and smaller regional outfits backed Vijay, recognising both the public mood and the mandate that had clearly positioned him as the central figure of this election.
The episode marks the end of a troubling chapter for India's democracy. The Governor's initial reluctance to invite the leader of the single largest party, despite established judicial precedents favouring a floor test, raised serious constitutional questions. Equally striking was the spectacle of two parties, rejected by sections of the electorate seeking change, attempting to retain relevance through post-poll manoeuvring.
Vijay's rise has fundamentally altered Tamil Nadu's political landscape. For the first time in decades, the entrenched dominance of both the DMK and the AIADMK appears vulnerable. He has emerged as a political alternative promising a different style of governance, and the electorate has responded with remarkable enthusiasm. Many observers believe that with a more aggressive campaign, Vijay might even have secured a clear majority on his own.
Yet the road ahead will not be easy. The coalition supporting him is fragile, and survival will depend on constant political management. With numbers so tight, even the withdrawal of support by a couple of MLAs could push the government into crisis. Vijay may have won the first battle decisively, but the larger test of governance and stability begins now.
Update: The political uncertainty, however, may not be over yet. A report by NDTV quoted sources in the Tamil Nadu Governor's office as saying that Vijay's swearing-in may be put on hold as he has allegedly failed to conclusively prove majority support.
Latest Update: VCK and IUML finally lend unconditional support to Vijay, taking the coalition tally to 120. He met the Governor on Friday evening and was formally invited to form the government. He will take oath on Sundya at 3.15pm
