Tamil NaduTamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026Indian National CongressTamilaga Vettri KazhagamCoalition Government
Congress to Join TVK-Led Coalition Government in Tamil Nadu
Published: May 9, 2026
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Tamil Nadu will form its first effective coalition government in more than 70 years, following the Congress party's confirmation that it will take ministerial positions in the administration led by C. Joseph Vijay of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). Girish Chodankar, in-charge of the All India Congress Committee in Tamil Nadu, confirmed the arrangement on May 9, 2026, stating, "It will be a coalition government," and confirmed that the proposal had been accepted by TVK leadership.
Congress candidate P. Viswanathan will be sworn in as a minister during the ceremony on May 10, with Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi scheduled to attend. The alliance marks a significant shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, where governments have historically been formed by single parties or alliances without formal power-sharing.
The last time Tamil Nadu had a coalition arrangement was in 1952, under C. Rajagopalachari, though that government quickly lost its coalition character when partner Manickavelu Naicker joined the Congress. Subsequent attempts, including after the 2006 assembly elections, failed as alliance partners were excluded from cabinet positions.
Prior to the 2026 elections, Congress had insisted on a coalition as a precondition for seat-sharing, a demand initially rejected by the DMK. With TVK falling short of a majority, the Congress's entry into government now formalizes the coalition structure. The court will resume hearing on Tuesday.