Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asserted on Friday that Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar should not obstruct TVK leader Vijay from forming the government. Abdullah emphasized that Vijay deserves the chance to prove his majority in the assembly, aligning with recent Supreme Court judgments.
Governor Arlekar had previously denied TVK’s claim to form the government, stating that the party does not hold the necessary numbers. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) currently does not meet the simple majority threshold of 118 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Despite the Congress party offering support with five MLAs, TVK’s strength falls short of forming a stable government. Abdullah highlighted the implications of the Supreme Court’s directives that prioritize inviting the single largest party to prove its numbers in the assembly.
“There is no justification for President’s rule in Tamil Nadu,” Abdullah stated, referencing several Supreme Court cases that encouraged the inclusion of the largest party for government formation post-elections. He expressed confidence that TVK should be allowed to stake its claim.
“If we refer to the Supreme Court’s stance, then it becomes clear that Tamil Nadu’s Lok Bhavan lacks justification to preclude this process,” he added. Abdullah illustrated his point by recalling former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee‘s brief government formation, where he had to resign after failing to prove majority support.
“Vijay should be permitted to establish a government. He should then be given a fair chance to prove his majority. Success means he stays, while failure necessitates his resignation,” Abdullah said.
This development is pivotal as Tamil Nadu navigates its political landscape amidst the uncertainty surrounding government formation. As the implications of these political maneuvers unfold, stakeholders keenly observe how the Governor’s decisions will impact the assembly’s dynamics.
