Chennai
oi-Ashish Rana
Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar has indicated that any alliance capable of proving majority support in the Assembly, including a possible coming together of the DMK and AIADMK, would be allowed to form the government in the state. The Governor’s stand comes amid continuing uncertainty over government formation after the fractured verdict in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election.
Tamil Nadu Governor Arlekar insists Vijay’s TVK party must present 118 MLA signatures to prove majority support before forming the government following a fractured election verdict, sparking constitutional debate.
The development comes even as Vijay met the Governor for the second straight day on Thursday to stake claim to form the government, only to be told once again to return with signatures of 118 MLAs.
Governor Focused On Majority Numbers, Not Party Identity
Sources said Governor Arlekar made it clear that constitutional majority would be the only deciding factor in inviting any formation to power. According to sources, Raj Bhavan conveyed that if parties such as the DMK and AIADMK come together and submit the required numbers, they too could be invited to form the government.
The Governor reportedly told Vijay that TVK must first demonstrate clear support from 118 MLAs before any swearing-in process could take place.
“Please come with 118 signatures. Prove that TVK has majority and then the oath can happen,” the Governor is learnt to have told Vijay.
Sources added that the Governor insisted on written proof of support to ensure stability and avoid the collapse of a government immediately after formation.
Vijay Asked To Return With Written Support
This was the second meeting between Vijay and the Governor in two days. On Wednesday, Vijay had approached Raj Bhavan claiming the backing of 112 MLAs. Although the Congress, which has five MLAs, extended support to TVK, sources said the support was conveyed orally before the Governor.
At present, TVK and Congress together account for 112 members, leaving the alliance five short of the majority mark in the Assembly.
The situation has become more complicated because Vijay is expected to vacate one of the two seats he won in the election, reducing TVK’s effective tally further.
Sources said Governor Arlekar informed Vijay that the numbers were still insufficient and asked him to return only after securing signatures from at least 118 legislators.
However, Raj Bhavan sources also maintained that no other party had yet been invited to form the government and that Vijay could return once the numbers were secured.
Opposition Parties Demand Immediate Invitation To TVK
Thol Thirumavalavan criticised the Governor’s approach and demanded that TVK be invited immediately as the single largest party in the Assembly.
Speaking to regional media, Thirumavalavan accused the BJP leadership of interfering in Tamil Nadu politics.
“Now, the BJP, or Amit Shah and Modi, are interfering in Tamil Nadu politics and creating confusion. TVK has been chosen as the single largest party by the people. Therefore, he should be allowed to take office. That is the guidance provided by the Constitution,” he said.
The Tamil Nadu unit of the Communist Party of India also questioned the Governor’s decision to seek proof of majority before swearing in a Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, no appointment has yet been sought by Edappadi K Palaniswami with the Governor.
Constitutional Debate Intensifies In Tamil Nadu
The latest developments have triggered fresh debate over the Governor’s discretionary powers in a hung Assembly. Article 164(1) of the Constitution empowers the Governor to appoint the Chief Minister and take a call on government formation when no party has a clear majority.
In several earlier instances across states, Governors have invited the leader of the single largest party to form a minority government and later prove majority through a floor test. However, in Tamil Nadu’s current political situation, Governor Arlekar appears to be insisting on written majority support before any oath ceremony.
The election has already transformed Tamil Nadu’s political landscape by ending the long-standing DMK-AIADMK dominance. Yet, with alliances still fluid and numbers uncertain, discussions around possible post-poll combinations, including a potential DMK-AIADMK understanding, have now moved to the centre of the government formation battle.
