R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MAY 8
Tamil Nadu plunged into high-voltage political drama on Friday as supporters of actor-politician Vijay and cadres of the Indian National Congress staged widespread protests against Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar over the refusal to invite the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief to form the government despite the party emerging as the single-largest force in the state Assembly elections.
The dramatic developments have intensified the post-poll suspense in Tamil Nadu, with TVK workers taking to the streets alleging that constitutional norms were being ignored by denying Vijay the opportunity to prove his majority on the floor of the House.
- Massive protests erupt across Tamil Nadu demanding immediate invitation to Vijay to form government
- Congress, VCK and CPI rally behind TVK, insist majority must be tested on Assembly floor
- Governor’s refusal triggers constitutional debate as AIADMK-DMK tie-up buzz fuels suspense
- TVK camp exudes confidence despite numbers crunch; Vijay holds back-to-back strategy meetings
The protests erupted after the Governor’s office reiterated that TVK had not yet established the required majority support in the Assembly to stake claim for government formation. The statement came after Vijay’s second high-profile meeting with the Governor in two days ended without an invitation to form the government.
TVK’s spectacular electoral debut — winning 108 Assembly seats — has reshaped Tamil Nadu’s political landscape and triggered intense lobbying, alliance negotiations and behind-the-scenes power calculations. However, the numbers continue to remain the biggest hurdle for the party.
Following Election Commission norms, Vijay is expected to vacate one of the two constituencies he won — Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East — bringing TVK’s effective tally down to 107. Even with Congress extending support, the coalition’s strength reaches only 113, falling short of the crucial 118-seat majority mark in the 243-member Assembly.
Despite the arithmetic challenge, the TVK camp has maintained an aggressive political posture, arguing that the Governor should first invite the single-largest party to form the government and allow a trust vote inside the Assembly.
The issue has now snowballed into a larger constitutional and political confrontation, with parties including Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Communist Party of India openly backing Vijay’s demand for a floor test.
Senior Congress leader and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar termed the Governor’s stand “unfair” and said Vijay should immediately be given an opportunity to prove his strength democratically.
Meanwhile, speculation over a possible understanding between the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has added another layer of intrigue to the rapidly evolving political crisis, though no official confirmation has emerged from either side.
Sources said a crucial meeting of TVK MLAs-designate witnessed anxious legislators repeatedly seeking clarity from party general secretary N Anand on government formation timelines. Party leaders reportedly urged cadres and legislators to remain patient, assuring them that Vijay was “making every possible effort” to secure the numbers required to form the government.
As Tamil Nadu watches one of its most dramatic post-election power struggles unfold, all eyes are now on the Governor’s next move and whether Vijay’s political gamble can convert a stunning electoral breakthrough into actual power.
