TAMIL NADU (India): Facing flak from political parties for the delay in extending the invite to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay to form the government, as the TVK is the single largest party, Governor VR Arlekar has stuck to his stand that the actor-turned politician should establish proof of majority support in the Assembly.
On a day of disappointment for TVK supporters, who were eagerly waiting for the coronation of their icon as the Chief Minister on Thursday (May 7), the Governor had told Vijay that proof of majority support was a prerequisite and essential for him to accord the invitation.
A day after the TVK chief staked the claim to form the government, Arlekar invited him to the Lok Bhavan to convey this message.
“The Hon’ble Governor explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, essential for forming the government, has not been established,” a Lok Bhavan release said.
With neither the DMK, dislodged from office and deciding to sit in the opposition, nor the AIADMK staking claim, the Governor’s decision has drawn flak from political parties and analysts, who accuse the Lok Bhavan of playing to the tunes of the Union BJP government.
“The BJP is unable to digest the fact that the Congress is gaining a foothold in power by teaming up with Vijay, and hence is creating hurdles for the TVK in forming the government by using the office of the Governor. Vijay has rejected the BJP’s demand to dump the Congress,” Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol Thirumavalavan, MP, told the media.
“The mandate is for Vijay, and he should be allowed to form the government. The Governor should abide by the Constitution and extend the invitation without any further delay,” he added.
Both the Left parties have slammed the Governor for acting as a tool of the BJP. CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam and his CPI counterpart M Veerapandiyan have said that the people’s verdict should be respected and that the place to test majority is not the Lok Bhavan but the floor of the House.
Kamal Hassan of the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party and actor Prakash Raj echoed similar sentiments. “Not inviting Vijay to form the government is an affront to the verdict delivered by the people of Tamil Nadu. That the 233 elected legislators could not take the oath is an insult to the state,” Hassan wrote on ‘X’.
In a crisp and hard-hitting post, Prakash said, “This Governor’s behaviour is Disgusting… unacceptable and unconstitutional. We may have differences… but Vijay has got the mandate. He should be allowed to claim his right on the floor of the House.”
While the TVK has secured 108 seats in the 234-member House, its effective strength is 107 since Vijay had won from two seats. The Congress, with five legislators, has pledged support to the TVK. But the TVK needs the backing of 6 more MLAs to cross the halfway mark of 118.
As such, the party has sought the support of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) of Thol Thirumavalavan, MP, and the two Left parties, who have two legislators each. The TVK is hopeful of getting the backing of all three, who are allies of the DMK.
For his part, DMK president MK Stalin has announced that the Dravidian major would in no way be a hurdle in the TVK forming a government. Of the 27 seats it contested, the BJP could win only one. Even those who fought the polls on the Lotus symbol lost miserably.
With the VCK, CPI and CPI (M) slated to discuss at their party fora on supporting the TVK, Vijay is awaiting their decision. Well, not only has the release of his swansong movie been postponed, but even his oath-taking has been. - The Statesman/ANN
