Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized that Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar should allow Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay to demonstrate his majority in the assembly. Abdullah’s remarks came on Friday amid ongoing political turmoil in Tamil Nadu following the governor’s recent rejection of Vijay’s claim to form the government.
On Thursday, Governor Arlekar stated that the TVK chief did not possess the necessary numbers to take office, as his party failed to secure a simple majority of 118 in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. Currently, with five MLAs supporting him from Congress, Vijay still falls short of the required strength.
Abdullah voiced concern over the imposition of President’s rule in Tamil Nadu, pointing out that several Supreme Court verdicts unequivocally support inviting the largest party post-election to attempt forming the government. “There is no justification for President’s rule in Tamil Nadu,” he stated during a press briefing.
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister referenced historical precedents in Indian politics, drawing attention to the case where former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee formed a government for only 13 days, after which he resigned due to insufficient support. “The President of India did not delay in inviting him to form the government even without numbers,” Abdullah explained.
Highlighting the legal stance, Abdullah urged that the Tamil Nadu Lok Bhavan lacks grounds to impede the government formation process. He firmly stated, “Vijay should be permitted to form the government and subsequently prove his majority. If he successfully demonstrates such support, he may continue; otherwise, he will have no choice but to resign.”
Vijay’s aspiration to form the government represents a pivotal moment in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. As public interest heightens, citizens remain keen to see how events unfold in the state’s governance. The political discourse surrounding the assembly’s future remains contentious, with calls for democratic processes to be respected at the forefront.
