I need numbers, not claims: Tamil Nadu Governor on asking Vijay to prove majority

Tamil Nadu's post-poll deadlock deepened after Governor Rajendra Arlekar refused to invite TVK chief Vijay to form the government for a second straight day, insisting he first prove support from 118 MLAs. He asserted that the delay was "not at my whims and fancies" but driven by constitutional responsibility and political arithmetic.

In Short

• TVK won 108 seats, short of 118 majority in 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly
• Governor said he demanded written proof of support from 118 MLAs
• He rejected Opposition criticism over delay in oath, saying stability concerns matter

Tamil Nadu’s post-election deadlock deepened on Thursday after Governor Rajendra Arlekar declined actor-politician and TVK chief Vijay’s bid to form the government for the second consecutive day, citing a lack of majority support in the Assembly. The development has intensified political manoeuvring across parties, with the TVK racing to secure backing from smaller parties, while Opposition voices question the Governor’s approach.

Vijay met Arlekar at Lok Bhavan for the second time in 24 hours, hoping to press his claim as leader of the single largest party. However, the Governor reiterated that TVK, which won 108 seats, but fell 10 short of a majority, had not demonstrated the required support of 118 MLAs in the 234-member Assembly.

In an interview with Republic TV, Arlekar elaborated on this requirement, saying, “What I have asked Vijay is – you just tell me that you have got 108, plus these 5, plus these 7 seats, and that makes 118, and these are the letters of the parties that are supporting me.”

This effectively put the onus back on Vijay to prove numbers before any swearing-in can be considered.

GOVERNOR DEFENDS STANCE, CITES NUMBERS AND STABILITY

Breaking his silence amid mounting criticism, Arlekar said that his position was guided strictly by constitutional responsibility and not discretion.

“I am bothered only when one particular party or particular coalition comes to me and asks me that they are forming the government. Then they should be able to tell me they have got enough numbers,” he said, underlining that numerical proof was essential before proceeding.

He also rejected allegations that he was obstructing the democratic process. “I am not here to stop anybody. I am here to promote democracy. A democratically elected person should not be stopped. He is to be promoted,” the Governor said.

At the same time, Arlekar stressed that he was prepared to move quickly if conditions were met.

“I was ready to give oath the very next day. But the situation is such that it is not allowing me to do it. It is not at my whims and fancies,” he added, indicating that the delay was driven by political arithmetic rather than any reluctance on his part.

Sources close to Raj Bhavan said Arlekar maintained that no party has yet demonstrated the numbers required to form the government. According to them, the TVK approached the Governor expressing its intent to form the government, following which he sought clarity on the basis of its claim.

The Governor’s position, sources said, is that asking for details of support from a party staking claim is part of due constitutional procedure. They also rejected allegations that he was acting under pressure from the Centre, asserting that decisions are being taken strictly in line with constitutional norms, precedents and established practice.

Sources added that the Governor believes the responsibility for any delay rests with parties that are yet to show adequate numbers to form a stable government.

DEMAND FOR WRITTEN SUPPORT SHARPENS STANDOFF

According to sources, the Governor made it clear that verbal assurances would not suffice. He is learnt to have asked Vijay to return only with documented support from at least 118 legislators.

This insistence on written backing has triggered a political and constitutional debate. Critics argue that such a demand deviates from established convention, where leaders are often sworn in first and asked to prove their majority on the floor of the House.

Responding to such criticism, Arlekar pushed back against comparisons with past judgments. Referring to the landmark SR Bommai vs Union of India ruling often cited by Opposition leaders, he said, “SR Bommai case was not about formation of a new government. The judgement was on a different matter.”

The SR Bommai vs Union of India ruling remains a key constitutional benchmark. In its 1994 judgment, the Supreme Court put strict limits on the misuse of Article 356, making it clear that elected state governments cannot be dismissed arbitrarily. It said the real test of majority must happen on the floor of the Assembly, not through claims or paperwork.

Arlekar also flagged concerns about possible political instability. “I am deeply concerned that horse-trading could happen. That is the reason why I want to get it resolved as early as possible. But I cannot ignore the situation,” the Governor said, explaining his insistence on firm numbers.

Importantly, Raj Bhavan sources indicated that no other party would be invited to form the government for now, effectively keeping the door open for Vijay, provided he meets the numerical threshold.

TVK IS SINGLE LARGEST PARTY, BUT SHORT OF MAJORITY

The TVK emerged as the single largest party in the April 23 Assembly elections with 108 seats, disrupting Tamil Nadu’s long-standing DMK-AIADMK dominance. However, it remains short of the majority mark of 118.

With the Congress extending support through its five MLAs, the TVK-led bloc currently stands at 112 – still six short. This arithmetic has forced TVK into urgent negotiations with smaller parties, including the Left parties, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). All these parties, who are DMK allies, have won two seats each.

Amid the fast-moving post-poll negotiations, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has moved its MLAs to Puducherry, in what appears to be a precautionary step to keep its flock together as alliance talks intensify.

AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan confirmed that legislators had been relocated but did not disclose how many MLAs were shifted or the exact reason behind the move. According to sources, over 25 MLAs are camping in a five-star resort in Puducherry. Such resort politics has often been used by parties during fractured mandates to prevent poaching and maintain internal cohesion.

Notably, AIADMK has not made any move to stake claim to form the government so far, and its leader Edappadi K Palaniswami has not sought an appointment with the Governor. The party’s next steps remain unclear, even as its position could prove crucial if the numbers game tightens further.

ALLIES WEIGH SUPPORT AS SIGNALS TURN POSITIVE

There are growing indications that these parties may lean towards supporting Vijay. VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan joined Congress and Left leaders in criticising the Governor’s refusal to invite TVK to form the government.

He argued that constitutional practice supports allowing the leader of the largest party to take office and prove a majority later in the Assembly.

“Governments are not decided at Raj Bhavan but on the floor of the House,” the Tamil Nadu Congress said, which has announced a statewide protest against Arlekar and the Centre on Friday.

CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said the party would take a final call on Friday, suggesting that consultations are still ongoing.

Behind the scenes, TVK leaders – including CTR Nirmal Kumar – held meetings with Left leaders to secure backing, even offering a share in governance to prospective allies.

DMK SEEKS TO HOLD ALLIANCE TOGETHER

Amid the flux, the DMK has moved to consolidate its own alliance. Party chief MK Stalin urged partners in the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) to stay united, warning against shifting loyalties.

The DMK also launched a sharp attack on Congress, accusing it of “backstabbing” the alliance by extending post-poll support to TVK. In a strongly worded resolution, the party described the move as opportunistic and a betrayal of the mandate.

DEBATE OVER GOVERNOR'S ROLE INTENSIFIES

Arlekar’s remarks have further sharpened the debate over constitutional convention versus discretion. CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby invoked precedent, citing how former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was invited to form a government in 1996 despite lacking a clear majority initially.

Former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar termed the delay a “constitutional heresy” and urged the Governor to honour the people’s mandate by inviting Vijay.

On the other hand, BJP spokesperson Narayanan Tirupathy defended the Governor, saying the process is being handled strictly according to constitutional norms and that stability must be ensured before forming a government.

STREET PROTESTS AND LEGAL OPTIONS EMERGE

The political impasse over government formation has spilled onto the streets. TVK cadres staged protests outside Lok Bhavan, demanding that Vijay be allowed to form the government as the leader of the largest party.

Within the TVK, discussions are also underway on whether to seek legal recourse if the deadlock continues. While no formal decision has been taken, the option remains on the table.

With the Assembly’s tenure ending on May 10, the pressure is mounting. The Governor’s comments make clear that the path forward hinges on one factor: whether Vijay can secure written backing from 118 MLAs.

Until then, Tamil Nadu remains in a holding pattern, with coalition talks intensifying and the constitutional debate growing sharper by the hour.

- Ends