Governor Delay Sparks Political Standoff in Chennai
Tamil Nadu’s post election deadlock deepened Saturday after Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar again withheld an invitation to TVK chief C. Joseph Vijay to form the government despite frantic negotiations in Chennai and mounting support from smaller parties.
Heavy police deployment was seen outside Lok Bhavan in Chennai early Saturday as TVK workers gathered near the Raj Bhavan complex. PTI footage showed barricades, additional security personnel and traffic restrictions around the governor’s residence.
Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won 108 seats in the 234 member Assembly, making it the single largest party in its electoral debut. But the majority mark stands at 118. Because Vijay won from 2 constituencies, Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East, he must vacate 1 seat, reducing TVK’s effective tally to 107.
Congress extended support with 5 MLAs, while CPI and CPI(M) added 2 legislators each. That pushed Vijay’s bloc to 116. Attention then shifted to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, whose 2 MLAs could carry TVK past the halfway mark.
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Forgery Claim Adds Fresh Twist
The numbers battle took a dramatic turn after AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran accused TVK of submitting a forged support letter to the governor. “This is forgery! We are going to file a criminal complaint now”, Dhinakaran said, claiming he personally met Arlekar with what he described as the “real” support document tied to AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami.
TVK denied the allegation and called it misinformation. The party later circulated a video purportedly showing AMMK MLA Kamaraj backing Vijay’s government formation effort. Inside the INDIA bloc, tensions also surfaced. Congress publicly backed TVK despite the DMK being its long time ally in Tamil Nadu politics.
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Pressure Mounts on Raj Bhavan
Congress MP Manickam Tagore accused political rivals of trying to block Vijay from taking office. “Power may delay the people’s verdict, but it can never suppress it forever”, Tagore wrote on X. Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar also called the delay “unfair”, arguing Vijay should be allowed to prove majority on the Assembly floor.
By Saturday evening, conflicting reports emerged over whether VCK had formally extended support. TVK leaders remained inside Chennai party offices holding closed door meetings as uncertainty over the oath ceremony continued.
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