New Delhi: Tamil Nadu’s post election political crisis has deepened after Vijay led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam warned that all its MLAs would resign if the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam come together to form the next government in the state.
TVK emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with 108 seats but remains short of the majority mark of 118 in the 234 member House. The political uncertainty has intensified amid speculation over possible support arrangements and alliance talks between rival parties.
The warning from TVK has triggered fresh debate over what would happen if all its MLAs resign simultaneously. Under Article 190(3)(b) of the Constitution, resignations of MLAs do not take immediate effect and must first be accepted by the Speaker, who has the authority to verify whether each resignation is voluntary and genuine.
If all 107 resignations are eventually accepted, the effective strength of the Assembly would reduce from 234 to 127, lowering the majority mark from 118 to just 64. In such a situation, a potential DMK AIADMK alliance could still legally form and sustain a government if it crosses the revised majority figure.
However, the process is far from automatic. Since the new Assembly has not yet completed the formal process of oath taking and election of a permanent Speaker, the resignations cannot immediately alter the Assembly’s numbers. Constitutional experts believe the Governor may first prioritise government formation and a floor test before resignation proceedings are completed.
Even after a Speaker is elected, mass resignations would require individual scrutiny. The Speaker can verify each MLA separately and examine whether there was coercion or political pressure behind the resignations.
The situation has also raised the possibility of large scale by elections if seats fall vacant. Under election laws, vacant seats must generally be filled within six months, potentially pushing Tamil Nadu into a prolonged political campaign period.
For now, Governor R. N. Ravi is expected to explore all constitutional options before any possibility of President’s Rule is considered in the state.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
