How a bid to make Thirumavalavan Tamil Nadu’s CM failed
VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan and CPI State Secretary Veerapandian, speaking at press conference to announce their support to the TVK Party in forming the Government at VCK headquarters in Chennai on May 9, 2026.
| Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj
A last-minute attempt to make VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalvan as the first Chief Minister hailing from the Scheduled Caste in Tamil Nadu, with support from the DMK and the AIADMK, is learnt to have failed last weekend.
On Monday (May 11, 2026), VCK sources told The Hindu that Mr. Thirumavalavan was asked to withhold the letter of support to C. Joseph Vijay’s TVK. This prompted him to delay an announcement until May 9 evening.
“Initially, the AIADMK was unable to secure its MLAs’ consent for the idea. By the time it seemingly convinced them, around 4 p.m., he had made up his mind against the proposal. We would have faced criticism that, despite the TVK having won in 108 constituencies, the VCK, with just two MLAs, had hijacked the people’s mandate,” a senior VCK leader said.
Explaining the backroom negotiations, he said, the idea of making Mr. Thirumavalavan the CM was mooted after a bid for an AIADMK Government with DMK support hit hurdles. The CPI, CPI-M and VCK were informed about the AIADMK-DMK proposal.
“However, the Left leaders were unwilling to support an AIADMK government as they were aware of the BJP’s role in the arrangement. This prompted the Left parties and the VCK to support the TVK to prevent Governor’s rule,” the leader said.
While the Left parties handed over their letters of support to the TVK on May 8, some in the DMK and AIADMK approached the VCK with the fresh proposal.
Although many within the VCK favoured the proposal, Mr. Thirumavalavan remained unconvinced. On May 8 night, he met a senior DMK leader, while an AIADMK leader remained in touch with him. He discussed the issue again on May 9 instead of going ahead with the press conference as originally planned.
In the evening, Mr. Thirumavalavan eventually handed over the letter of support to TVK leader Adhav Arjuna, who was waiting to receive it.
“Even if a government headed by Mr. Thirumavalavan had survived for just one day, it would have created history,” another VCK leader, who supported the move, said.
Published – May 11, 2026 10:47 pm IST
