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New Delhi: Tamil Nadu’s fractured mandate has thrown the state into political uncertainty, with no single party securing a majority. Amid the jockeying for alliances, a surprising possibility has emerged: could Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan become the next Chief Minister?

Despite Superstar Vijay’s spectacular “blockbuster” performance at the polls, his party, the TVK, fell short of a majority. This opens the door for coalition maneuvering, where even the most unexpected leaders could rise to power.

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), with just two seats in the 234-member Assembly, now finds itself at the center of attention. With the TVK holding 116 seats, support from both VCK legislators could allow Vijay to form the government. Sources say the TVK is awaiting the arrival and signatures of both VCK MLAs before making a formal announcement, expected at 4:00 PM today.

Negotiations have also involved smaller parties such as the CPI, CPM, and VCK, but Vijay’s attempts to secure backing from the AMMK and IUML reportedly failed.

A Surprising Twist in Coalition Politics

In an unexpected turn, reports suggest that the AIADMK and DMK—the state’s traditional rivals—have initiated talks to prevent Vijay from taking power. Even more intriguing, there are indications that discussions have included projecting VCK chief Thirumavalavan as the Chief Minister in a potential alliance.

However, the numbers make such a scenario complex. The DMK and AIADMK together hold 106 seats (59 for DMK and 47 for AIADMK). Adding VCK’s two seats brings the total to 108, still short of the 118 needed for a majority. On the other side, the TVK bloc commands 116 seats from its own party, plus five from Congress and four from Left parties.

Coalition politics in Tamil Nadu has always been unpredictable, but this latest development could rewrite conventional expectations, placing the small but pivotal VCK at the heart of a high-stakes power struggle.