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Chennai. Governor V.R. has come under attack from political parties over the delay in inviting C. Joseph Vijay, president of ‘Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam’ (TVK), which has emerged as the largest party in Tamil Nadu, to form the government. Arlekar is adamant on his stand. He says that Vijay will have to present proof of majority in the assembly.

TVK supporters, who were eagerly waiting for Vijay’s coronation on Thursday, were disappointed when the Governor made it clear to Vijay that majority support is a mandatory condition for inviting him to form the government. A day after the TVK chief staked claim to form the government, Governor Arlekar called him to Raj Bhavan and conveyed his message. “The Honorable Governor clarified that the required majority support to form the government in the Tamil Nadu Assembly has not yet been established,” a Raj Bhavan release said. The Governor’s decision has been strongly criticized by political parties and analysts, amid the decision of the ousted Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to sit in the opposition and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) also not staking claim. Critics allege that Raj Bhavan is working at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president and MP Thol Thirumavalavan told the media, “The BJP is not able to digest the fact that the Congress, along with Vijay, is making its way into power. That is why it is creating hurdles for the TVK by using the Governor’s office.” He said that Vijay has rejected the BJP’s demand to leave the Congress and the Governor should respect the mandate and invite Vijay without any delay.

Both the Left parties have also criticized the Governor. State Secretary P. Shanmugam of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and M. Veerapandian of the Communist Party of India (CPI) said that the test of majority should not be held in the Raj Bhavan but on the floor of the House. Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM)’s Kamal Haasan and actor Prakash Raj have also expressed similar views. Haasan wrote on social media that not inviting Vijay is an insult to the people of Tamil Nadu. Prakash Raj has termed the Governor’s behavior as ‘indecent and unconstitutional’. It is noteworthy that TVK has won 108 seats in the 234-member House, but due to Vijay winning from two seats, the effective number is 107. Five Congress MLAs have pledged to support TVK. However, TVK needs the support of 6 more MLAs to cross the magic figure of 118. The party is hoping for support from the VCK and two Left parties, which have a total of six MLAs.

DMK president M.K. Stalin has already announced that his party will not create any obstacle in TVK government formation. On the other hand, out of the 27 seats on which BJP had contested, it could win only one seat. Currently, VCK, CPI and CPI(M) are discussing the issue of supporting TVK in their party forums and Vijay is waiting for their decision. At present, not only has the release of Vijay’s last film been postponed, but his swearing-in ceremony is also hanging in the balance.