Governor Declines Vijay’s Immediate Claim for Power
The political deadlock in Tamil Nadu intensified on Thursday, as Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar declined to invite Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay to form the government immediately. After a second high-profile meeting at the Lok Bhavan, the Governor maintained that the party must first establish proof of a solid majority.
While Vijay’s TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member assembly, it remains short of the 118-seat magic number. Even with the pledged support of 5 Congress MLAs, the alliance stands at 113. Since Vijay won two seats and will vacate one, the effective majority mark will shift to 117, leaving the TVK five seats away from stability.
The Governor reportedly advised Vijay that the state requires a stable administration and requested formal letters of support from more legislators. This decision has sparked massive protests outside the Lok Bhavan, where TVK supporters are demanding an immediate swearing-in ceremony. The party argues that as the single largest entity, they should be allowed to prove their strength on the assembly floor.
Meanwhile, the DMK and AIADMK are closely watching the developments. Outgoing CM M.K. Stalin has convened a meeting with his newly elected MLAs to discuss the shifting political equations. Interestingly, some allies like the CPI and VCK have urged the Governor to respect the mandate and invite Vijay, suggesting that the majority should be tested in the House rather than the Raj Bhavan.
As the stalemate continues, Vijay has reached out to smaller parties like the VCK and Left groups for support. The CPI(M) state committee is expected to meet tomorrow morning to finalize its stance. Until then, Tamil Nadu remains in a state of political suspense, with the oath-taking ceremony on hold.
