Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay has secured the support of 118 MLAs, clearing the hurdle to form the government in Tamil Nadu, sources confirmed Friday. The move comes after the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) agreed to extend support, providing six additional seats needed to reach the majority mark.

TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, falling five short of the 118 required to form a government. Governor RV Arlekar had refused to invite Vijay to form the government until formal letters of support from a majority of MLAs were submitted. Vijay, who contested from two constituencies, must resign from one before taking office.

The Left parties and VCK were previously part of the DMK alliance but opted not to support outgoing Chief Minister MK Stalin's bid to retain power. Vijay had earlier secured support from five Congress MLAs who broke ranks from the DMK. With the new backing, he now holds the necessary numbers to stake claim.

Vijay is expected to meet Governor RV Arlekar at 6 pm Friday to formally stake his claim to form the government. The Governor will assess the support and may invite him to prove majority on the floor of the Assembly.