Tamil Nadu govt formation highlights: ‘Denying TVK opportunity to prove majority in assembly is wrong’, says Shivakumar

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Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: Here are the key points so far:

• Tamil Nadu’s post-election deadlock has revived the constitutional debate over a governor’s powers in a hung Assembly, whether the single largest party should automatically get the first chance to form the government or whether it must first prove majority support.
• The debate comes after Vijay-led TVK emerged as the largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member assembly but remains short of the 118-seat majority mark even with Congress support.
• Governor Rajendra Arlekar has reportedly asked Vijay to show backing from 118 MLAs before inviting him to form the government.
• Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said that the Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar should allow Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form a government and prove the majority on the floor of the House and the decision to ascertain majority in Raj Bhavan is not correct.
• AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday held a meeting with the newly elected MLAs from Tamil Nadu at a private resort near Ariyankuppam on the outskirts of Puducherry.

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for not inviting Vijay-led TVK to form the government, alleging that governors are "agents" of the BJP who "maul" the Constitution to serve that party's interests.

The former Union minister alleged that Arlekar is trying to "buy time" so that the BJP can manipulate government formation in Tamil Nadu.

Sibal's remarks come amid Vijay's efforts to cobble up support to form his maiden government after his TVK emerged as the single largest party in the the April 23 assembly polls.

"I was hoping that by now the governor would have invited the TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu. That is the norm, the governor, Mr Arlekar, would be knowing the norm. But of course, when governors become agents of the BJP, they do the bidding of the BJP," Sibal said at a press conference here.

(With PTI inputs)

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday held a meeting with the newly elected MLAs from Tamil Nadu at a private resort near Ariyankuppam on the outskirts of Puducherry.

Nearly 40 legislators were present at the meeting, which lasted nearly one hour.

Party sources said that Palaniswami asked the MLAs-elect to remain united and be patient.

"Good things will emerge and hence you should all remain united and patient in the resort in the next couple of days," he told the MLAs.

(With PTI inputs)

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said that the Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar should allow Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form a government and prove the majority on the floor of the House and the decision to ascertain majority in Raj Bhavan is not correct.

"The Governor must allow government formation. In Karnataka, the Governor had permitted Yediyurappa to do so. Parties that won more seats have previously been allowed to form governments. Presidents Narayanan and Abdul Kalam also acted in this manner. Vajpayee, too, was similarly permitted to form a government and prove his majority on the floor of the house. Denying that opportunity to TVK now is wrong," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: TVK on Thursday held a crucial meeting of its newly elected MLAs and party office-bearers in Chennai amid uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu. Several members reportedly asked party general secretary ‘Bussy’ N Anand when the government would be formed, with leaders urging patience as Vijay continued efforts to secure support.

“Many wanted to know from Anand when the TVK will form the government. The leader asked them to be patient as the party chief Vijay was making all the efforts,” a party source said.

“The people of Tamil Nadu have given us the mandate to form the government under our leader Vijay. It will definitely happen. Our leader is taking steps,” TVK Theni district president Pandi said. (PTI)

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday met newly elected party MLAs at a private resort near Puducherry amid the ongoing Tamil Nadu government formation uncertainty. Around 40 legislators attended the meeting, where Palaniswami reportedly asked them to remain “united and patient” over the next few days. (PTI)

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: Tamil Nadu’s post-election deadlock has revived the constitutional debate over a governor’s powers in a hung Assembly, whether the single largest party should automatically get the first chance to form the government or whether it must first prove majority support.

The debate comes after Vijay-led TVK emerged as the largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member assembly but remains short of the 118-seat majority mark even with Congress support. Governor Rajendra Arlekar has reportedly asked Vijay to show backing from 118 MLAs before inviting him to form the government.

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: Tamil Nadu’s hung Assembly has triggered a major political clash over government formation. AIADMK leader KP Anbalagan ruled out backing Vijay, saying cinema fame cannot qualify someone to form a government.

He said, “There is a certain qualification required to form a government, but he does not even have the basic qualification. He is just a cinema actor.” He also added, “For that reason, the AIADMK cannot extend its support to Vijay's party… We will never support Vijay.”

Anbalagan added, “Under the leadership of Edappadi Palaniswami, the party functions under a single leadership… Till the very end, we will not support Vijay.”

TVK, despite emerging as the single-largest party with 108 seats (107 after a likely resignation), remains short of a majority and is reaching out to Congress, Left parties, and VCK. Five Congress MLAs have already extended support. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: The delay in Tamil Nadu’s government formation is being seen as more political than constitutional.

Thol Thirumavalavan, VCK chief, said, "Experts say that the governor cannot demand a list of 118 MLAs who will support the government, and our view is that the BJP is creating confusion in Tamil Nadu politics. They may be asked to prove majority on the floor of the House, and they cannot be asked to give a list in advance," adding criticism of the ongoing process.

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee announced a statewide protest against the Governor and the BJP-led Centre, stating, "Governments are not decided on the lawns of Lok Bhavan. They are decided on the floor of the House." (ANI)

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) has criticised the ongoing delay in government formation in Tamil Nadu following a hung verdict in the recent Assembly elections.

He said the BJP was behaving like a “sore loser.” In a statement, party spokesperson Clyde Crasto said, “TVK led by Vijay is the single largest party in Tamil Nadu and has the proven support of other parties to fulfil the numbers to form the Government. Governor should constitutionally respect the mandate of the people and invite TVK and Vijay to form the government. Is BJP misusing its central powers in Tamil Nadu and behaving like sore losers,” he asked. The party also said the governor must act in a neutral manner and uphold constitutional duty. (PTI)

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: The DMK legislature party passed multipleresolutions today, including thanking the people of Tamil Nadu and alliance partners. They also expressed gratitude to party president MK Stalin for his long service.

The meeting also authorised MK Stalin to take key political decisions, saying that “Tamil Nadu was not prepared for another election” and stressing the need to prevent forces opposed to the Dravidian movement from gaining space.

Another resolution strongly criticised the Congress, saying it had moved away from the secular progressive alliance and failed to change its “old political character”.

It also accused the party of shifting positions despite electoral gains under the DMK-led alliance, saying it had “secured one Rajya Sabha seat and 28 Assembly constituencies” before allegedly moving towards another political alignment.

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: VCK leader SS Balaji said his party’s demand for the governor to invite TVK does not amount to support for the party or its leader Vijay. He said, "Just because we are saying that the governor should invite him doesn't mean that we are going to support him (Vijay)."

He added that support would depend on whether TVK proves its independence from the BJP and RSS, saying, "there must be something solid on the ground which should make us believe that he will not be in the clutches of the BJP or RSS."

Balaji also criticised both the governor and TVK, saying, "the governor's act or the governor's attitude is against the constitution." He further said TVK must reassure allies of its political stance: "it is their duty or their responsibility to make us believe or make us trust they'll never be in the hands of the BJP or RSS."

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: CPM state secretary TT Shanmugam said TVK should be allowed to form the government as it is the leading party in a hung Assembly.

He said, “according to the Constitution, it is TVK that should be allowed to form the government.” He added, “It is the Governor who should invite Vijay to form the government because he is leading.”

He also said the governor’s reference to a High Court order was not correct.

Shanmugam said the party will take a final decision within two days after its general body meeting on whether to support TVK.

He added that CPM had met CM M K Stalin and discussed the situation, and said, “We also told him that the governor should call only TVK and let Vijay take the oath as chief minister.” (ANI)

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: AIADMK leader KP Anbalagan strongly opposed support for TVK chief Vijay, saying he does not meet the “basic qualification” to form a government. He said, “People like Vijay should not form a government here. There is a certain qualification required to form a government, but he does not even have the basic qualification. He is just a cinema actor.”

He added that Vijay is using his film popularity for political gains, as per news agency ANI. “Using his fame from cinema, Vijay is trying to create an impression, but how many seats has he actually won here?” he said, adding that AIADMK will not support TVK.

Anbalagan also criticised Congress, saying, “Those who support Vijay are people like Congress, who are driven by a desire for power.”

He further said AIADMK remains united under Edappadi Palaniswami. “Till the very end, we will not support Vijay,” he said.

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: In Chennai, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and CPI (ML) held a protest outside the Collectorate Office against the rise in commercial LPG cylinder prices and the abolition of 29,000 railway jobs.

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan has asked governor Rajendra Arlekar to invite TVK chief Vijay to form the government. He also said Vijay should be asked to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: Congress in-charge Girish Chodankar has accused the governor of favouring the BJP. “Due to his RSS background and the pressure from Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, I feel that the Governor is bowing before the BJP rather than before the Constitution and the people of Tamil Nadu,” he said, as per news agency ANI.

The dispute centres on TVK’s claim to form the government after coming up as the single largest party with 108 seats, but falling short of the 118-seat majority in the 234-member Assembly.

Chodankar said the governor should invite TVK to form the government, adding, “The governor has no option then to invite Mr Vijay to swear in as the chief minister and should give him time.”

He also warned against bypassing the mandate, saying, “There will be a big revolt if the Governor tries to impose his rule and run the state through backdoor.”

TVK is reaching out to Left parties, including CPI and CPI(M), seeking support, while discussions are ongoing within these parties on their stand. The governor has maintained that TVK must prove its majority before being invited to form the government.

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: TN Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai has called for statewide protests on May 8 at 11 am across district headquarters. He has accused the BJP-led Centre and the Governor of acting unconstitutionally by trying to block TVK, the single-largest party, from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: Vijay’s TVK has intensified efforts to gather support for government formation in Tamil Nadu, with party leader CTR Nirmal Kumar meeting CPI state secretary M Veerapandian in Chennai on Thursday.

TVK, which won 108 seats and is short of the majority mark, has already sought support from Left parties, VCK and IUML, while Congress has extended backing. Kumar said the party has not approached the NDA and does not plan to do so. "We have not asked and don't intend to," he said. (PTI)

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: TVK leader Nirmal Kumar says the party has sought support from Left parties, VCK and IUML as Vijay continues efforts to secure majority backing. (PTI)

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: TVK has secured backing from five Congress MLAs but still needs six more legislators. Twenty-eight AIADMK MLAs were shifted to a resort in Puducherry, fuelling speculation of possible support negotiations. Vijay met the governor for a second time today. The meeting went on for 45 minutes.

Reports suggested sections of AIADMK led by CV Shanmugam and OS Manian may favour supporting TVK in exchange for key posts, though AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami is reportedly opposed.

DMK, Congress, VCK and Left parties argued that TVK, as the single-largest party, should be invited first to form the government and prove its majority on the Assembly floor, while BJP maintained the Governor would act strictly according to constitutional norms.

Following TVK Chief Vijay's meeting with the TN Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Lok Bhavan in a statement said the requisite majority support essential for forming government has not been established.

“During the meeting, the Hon’ble Governor explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the Government, has not been established,” Lok Bhavan said in a statement.

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: TVK supporters from Tiruppur staged a protest outside Lok Bhavan on Thursday, demanding that Governor Rajendra Arlekar invite party chief Vijay to form the government in Tamil Nadu.

This comes after Arlekar once again declined to invite TVK chief Vijay to form the government, reiterating that oath-taking can take place only after he proves majority support, ANI reported citing sources.

Tamil Nadu govt formation LIVE: Former CM O Panneerselvam arrived at DMK headquarters in Chennai for MLAs meeting.