On May 8, 2026, Congress party members staged protests in several towns across central Tamil Nadu, including Tiruchi City and Pudukottai, against Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. The protests were sparked by the Governor's decision not to invite the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), founded by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, to form the government despite the party being the single largest entity in the assembly. Protesters accused the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of undermining the democratic process and claimed that the Governor was acting as a puppet of the central government. In Tiruchi, about 120 Congress members demonstrated for 30 minutes near the old Collectorate, led by urban district president L. Rex. Similar demonstrations were organized in Pudukottai Town by D. Bennet Anthonyraj, the district president, as well as in Ariyalur and Perambalur towns. These protests highlight the ongoing political tensions in Tamil Nadu regarding the formation of the government.