Desk Correspondent , Chennai - Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is struggling to form the government in Tamil Nadu despite emerging as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly. Governor Rajendra Arlekar has met Vijay three times in three days, but the leader has failed to provide conclusive written proof of majority support. With Vijay needing to vacate one seat after winning from two constituencies, TVK's effective strength stands at around 107, requiring at least 118 MLAs for a majority. Conflicting claims, forged letter controversies, and last-minute reversals by potential allies have stalled the process, raising the possibility of prolonged uncertainty or alternative arrangements.

Congress has formally extended support with its five MLAs, but only on the condition that TVK keeps "communal forces" like the BJP at bay. The party was offered two ministerial berths and one Rajya Sabha seat, with the alliance expected to extend to future elections. The CPI and CPI(M) have also backed TVK with two seats each for stable, secular governance, offering outside support without seeking cabinet posts to prevent President's Rule and block any backdoor entry for the BJP. However, these 5+2+2 seats fall far short of the required numbers.

Further complications arose as Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) support remained uncertain despite initial indications, with its leadership demanding a deputy chief minister post and cabinet berth; a supportive tweet was quickly deleted. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) first signaled then firmly denied backing, calling reports rumours while reaffirming loyalty to the DMK alliance. AMMK's lone MLA backed the AIADMK-led NDA, with its chief TTV Dhinakaran accusing TVK of circulating a forged support letter and writing to the Governor in favour of Edappadi K. Palaniswami. DMK (59 seats) and AIADMK (47 seats) have stayed away, leaving Vijay's "5+2+2+2-2" math unresolved amid competing claims and unverified letters. The Governor is awaiting clear, verifiable majority proof before any decision.