DMK, VCK, Kamal Haasan back Vijay in standoff with Tamil Nadu Governor
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Several political parties, including the DMK, VCK, MNM, and CPI, have backed actor-politician Vijay after Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar reportedly refused to invite him to form the government following the Assembly election results.
Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single-largest party in its debut election, winning 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly. The majority mark is 118. With Congress support, TVK currently has the backing of 113 MLAs.
According to reports, the Governor asked Vijay to prove he had the numbers required to form the government before taking the oath as chief minister. Vijay and supporting parties argued that the majority should instead be tested on the floor of the Assembly after the swearing-in.
Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan strongly criticised the Governor’s reported stand, calling it a “disrespect” to the people’s mandate.
In a post on X, Haasan said not inviting Vijay to form the government despite TVK becoming the single-largest party would amount to insulting Tamil Nadu and damaging democracy. He also praised DMK leader MK Stalin for accepting the verdict and functioning as a responsible opposition.
VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said the Governor’s demand was “not acceptable” and stated that Vijay could prove his majority in the Assembly.
DMK leader A Saravanan also defended TVK’s claim, saying no pre-poll alliance had secured a majority and no other party had staked a claim to form the government.
CPI Tamil Nadu state secretary M Veerapandian said the constitutional convention required the Governor to allow the single-largest party to form the government and prove its majority on the Assembly floor.
The BJP, however, said TVK must first prove it has majority support. BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy said the Governor would act according to constitutional provisions.
According to sources, Vijay told the Governor he expected support from Left parties and smaller regional parties and was prepared for a floor test. However, the Governor reportedly remained unconvinced about the numbers.