Tamil Nadu Governor Rejects Vijay Government Claim, Seeks 118 MLA Signatures
Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Thursday again declined TVK chief Vijay’s request to form the government, asking him to return with signatures from 118 MLAs to establish majority support in the Assembly. The latest update has intensified political activity in the state ahead of the end of the current Assembly tenure on May 9.
Vijay met the Governor at Raj Bhavan for the second consecutive day to stake claim to form the government after the recent Assembly results produced a fractured mandate. According to sources, the Governor maintained that written support from 118 legislators was necessary before any swearing-in process could begin.
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Governor Seeks Written Majority Support From TVK
Sources said Governor Arlekar informed Vijay that oral assurances were not sufficient to establish a stable government. The Governor reportedly told the TVK leader to return only after securing signatures from legislators backing his claim.
The Governor is also learnt to have assured Vijay that no other political party would be invited to form the government in the meantime. The development comes amid ongoing political negotiations between parties and independent legislators.
On Wednesday, Vijay had approached the Governor claiming support from 112 MLAs. While Congress, which has five MLAs, reportedly extended support, sources said the backing was conveyed orally and not through signed letters submitted to Raj Bhavan.
TVK Numbers Remain Below Majority Mark
TVK emerged as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, ending the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in state politics. However, the party remains short of the majority mark required to form the government independently. Earlier developments linked to the ongoing political negotiations were also discussed during the Governor holds Vijay meeting over Tamil Nadu talks.
With Vijay expected to vacate one of the two Assembly seats he won, the effective strength of TVK in the House is expected to reduce to 107. Along with Congress support, the alliance currently stands at 112 members, five short of the required 118.
The Governor’s insistence on signed support letters has triggered another round of discussions among alliance partners and supporting parties. Political observers said the next few days will be crucial as parties attempt to consolidate numbers before the Assembly term concludes.
VCK, CPI Back Vijay’s Claim To Form Government
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan urged the Governor to invite Vijay to form the government and allow him to prove majority later on the Assembly floor.
Speaking to regional media, Thirumavalavan alleged political interference by the BJP in Tamil Nadu affairs and said constitutional convention favoured inviting the single largest party first.
The Tamil Nadu unit of the Communist Party of India also criticised the Governor’s stand, calling it inappropriate to seek proof of majority before the swearing-in ceremony. Party leaders said constitutional practice in several states has allowed minority governments to take office and later seek a floor test.
Constitutional Provisions And Political Context
Under Article 164(1) of the Constitution, the Governor has the authority to appoint the Chief Minister. In a hung Assembly, the Governor also has discretionary powers to decide who should be invited to form the government.
Historically, Governors in several states have invited leaders of the single largest party to form the government and prove majority later through a floor test in the Assembly. However, Raj Bhavan sources indicated that the Governor wants documentary proof to avoid political instability after government formation.
No official statement has been issued by Raj Bhavan on the matter so far. There has also been no indication that AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami has sought an appointment with the Governor.
The Tamil Nadu government formation process remains under close watch as political parties continue efforts to secure numbers before the constitutional deadline. The police investigation or case registered angle is not linked to this political development, but the incident details and authority response continue to dominate state political discussions.